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EU leadership by taxing meat, asking rich countries to do the same

09/05/2021 15:34 0 comments

The EU has to reduce GHG-emissions to realise the 1,5 degrees Celsius goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. A very cheap way to do so is taxing meat consumption in EU countries with an excise duty per kg meat based on environmental costs like GHG-emissions (50 euro/kg CO2 equivalent). Also nitrogen costs can be calculated and brought into a meat tax, so the consumer - polluter pays principle will be applied. This would mean e.g. 20 eurocent/100 gram chicken meat, 40 eurocent/100 gram pork and 50 eurocent/100 gram beef/veal/processed meat, incl. import meat. Revenues can be used to reduce VAT tariffs for healthy foods like vegetables and fruits, and compensate low income groups & subsidize farmers for sustainability & animal welfare. This tax proposal is supported by a majority of 55% Germans, French & Dutch people, according to a survey (DVJ Insights). The proposal is done by TAPP Coalition & presented 5th Feb 2020 at the EU parliament with a lot of global media coverage. The Dutch Agriculture Minister is preparing this meat tax for a next government. In Germany the Parliament decided to introduce a tax on meat and dairy. If all EU countries would introduce such taxes, people would consume 50% less meat. Less soy is needed: less deforestation. It will also benefit public health & will reduce health care costs in the EU: 9 billion euro/year. GHG-emissions will go down with 120 Mton/year! https://tappcoalition.eu/nieuws/pagina/3
EU should lead & ask OECD countries to do it too!