A "sustainability tax" on meat to combat the environmental emergency could bring in billions of euros to help farmers and consumers produce and eat better food.
Meat taxes, which would raise the price of a steak by about 25%, are to be phased in this decade. The report that proposes it focuses on EU countries and was produced for the Tapp Coalition, a group of animal health, environmental and welfare organizations.
The report hopes that the "fair price" for meat will be included in the next European "Green new deal".
The report pushing for meat taxes was produced by environmental research group CE Delft. It takes into account the costs of greenhouse gas emissions, other causes of air and water pollution, and wildlife losses associated with livestock production.
The estimate is that covering these costs would increase the price of beef by € 0,47 per 100 grams. The result? A 227 gram steak would increase by about 25%.
Minor increases for chicken and pork. The levy for pork and chicken would be lower due to their lower environmental impact, respectively + € 3,60 per kilo and + € 1,70 per kilo.
Taxes on meat, positive consequences
Meat taxes would also have the (obviously thought to be beneficial) effect of reducing meat consumption. The report suggests that such charges could reduce EU consumption of beef by 67%, pork by 57% and chicken by 30% by 2030.
Other consequences, cascading: emissions decreased by 120 million tonnes per year, and revenues increased by 32 billion euros per year for EU member states.
What to do with this extra money?
The report plans to allocate approximately half of this extra revenue to ranchers and farmers to convert production to agriculture.
The rest should then be used to cut fruit and vegetable costs. To support the poorest families. Finally, to help developing countries to cope with the climate crisis.
Jerome Remmers, director of the Tapp Coalition, said: “Europeans eat also about 50% more meat than recommended in health food guidelines. Reducing consumption would also save us billions of euros in healthcare costs every year."
In November, three European health associations they wrote a Frans Timmermans, the senior European commissioner leading the new green deal initiative. In the letter they explained to the commissioner that numerous studies in recent years have shown that switching to healthy, plant-rich diets can offer important benefits for health, the environment and the economy.
Taxes on meat, and more generally on foods with high environmental impact are also supported by a second report.
It worked out on Behavioral Insights Team (Bit). This report goes a little further, suggesting making plant-based foods the default choice at corporate events or on flights.
Prevalence of vegetables in hospital meals, no foods harmful to the environment in school canteens, nutrition education courses in schools.
Recent research has shown that a huge reduction in meat consumption in rich nations is essential to tackling the climate emergency. Including the environmental cost of animal protein in the price is a crucial element. It will help us achieve European targets on climate, biodiversity, public health and animal welfare.
There is a gigantic possibility to reduce our environmental impact.
