
German politicians are considering adding a 19 percent meat tax to raise money for animal welfare causes.
Currently meat is not subject to a standard 19 percent tax placed on many food and drink products, including oat milk.
But the Social Democratic party along with the Greens want to introduce a tax and use the money raised for protection to animals.
Friedrich Ostendorff, a spokesperson for the agriculture sector of Germany’s Alliance 90/The Greens political party, told German newspaper Die Welt: “I favor abolishing the VAT reduction for meat and using it instead for more animal welfare.”
Meat is currently taxed at just seven percent in Germany, but many politicians and activists argue this is inappropriate given its ethical and environmental impact.
Thomas Schröder, president of organization German Animal Welfare Federation, added: “Parallel to the CO2 tax, we also need a meat tax.”
A tax would aim to reduce the country’s carbon footprint – as meat is one of the biggest drivers of global warming.
Christian Democratic (CDU) agricultural politician Albert Stegemann described the tax as ‘constructive’, but said the money should go back to the livestock industry.
“This additional income would have to be used as an animal welfare premium in order to support the livestock farmers in Germany during their restructuring,” he told The Local.
“The road to socially sustainable livestock farming would cost billions of euros, which farmers in Germany would not be able to bear alone.”
Farming industry leaders have spoken out against the tax. Bernhard Krüsken, General Secretary of the German Farmers’ Association, said: “It is not the tax authorities but farmers who need funds and support for the further development of animal husbandry.”
Do you think a meat tax is a good idea? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
Vegan Nottingham student creates budget-friendly oat milk machine to reduce carbon footprint and combat rising prices
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 30th May 2023
The invention is sustainable and cost-effective. A vegan undergraduate studying product design at Nottingham Trent University has developed a container that can help people create their own oat milk at home for just 20 pence per litre. “Oatilicious,” provides significant cost savings compared to store-bought oat milk for up to £2.20 per carton. The innovative …
Bear Grylls ’embarrassed’ by past vegan diet promotes meat, blood, and bone marrow for better health
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 15th May 2023
“I’ve tried to listen to my body more, tried to listen to nature, and I don’t miss vegetables at all. I don’t go near them, and I’ve never felt stronger, my skin’s never been better, and my gut’s never been better.” Adventurer and TV presenter Bear Grylls has become a die-hard carnivore fan after admitting …
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
Continue reading “QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert”
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
Continue reading “QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?”
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …