Brussels, 04/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 2 February, MEPs on the parliamentary economic and monetary affairs committee threw out the draft advisory report of Ieke van den Burg (PES, Netherlands) on the draft directive for reduced value added tax (VAT) rates. MEPs from the EPP-ED and ALDE voted against the text that the parliamentary committee had just amended, but for different reasons. The Christian Democrats did not appreciate the fact that the amendment submitted by their Luxembourg colleague, Astrid Lulling, had been rejected. This amendment called for reduced indirect taxation on restaurant and catering services, as well as alcoholic drinks accompanying meals. The Liberals considered that an amendment by the rapporteur and agreed to by the EPP-ED Group, went too far. This amendment would have allowed the European Commission to grant member states the possibility of applying reduced VAT rates to other locally provided services, in addition to those on the permanent list of goods and services (Annex III of “VAT” directive 2006/112/EC). Ms van den Burg informed EUROPE on Tuesday 3 February that these were two “minor subjects” and it was important to indicate that the final vote had not been directed against the Commission's proposal. She also stated that she had believed it had either been an accident or an irresponsible demonstration made by her colleagues, and affirmed that it is the non-amended text of the initial proposal that should be voted on at the Brussels plenary session at the end of February. The rapporteur insisted that “it is important that we send a message of support for the Commission's proposal”. (M.B./transl.rh)