Members of EU Parliament to Discuss ‘Meat Tax’ to Tackle Climate Change
Members of the European Parliament will today be asked to consider a plan to increase the price of meat across the EU to reflect its CO2 costs.
The plan is being put forward by the True Animal Protein Price Coalition, (TAPP), a Netherlands based coalition of health organisations, animal welfare and environmental organisations, social ventures and food companies working to lower meat and dairy consumption in the EU.
According to TAPP the 512 million EU citizens account for 6.8 per cent of the world’s population but are responsible for 16 per cent of the world’s total meat consumption.
A report from the coalition entitled Aligning food pricing policies with the European Green Deal, recommends increasing the price of meat across the EU to reflect its environmental costs, including CO2 emissions and biodiversity loss.
In a survey carried out last year, the plan for a higher meat price was supported by 63% of Dutch consumers.
According to the coalition, based on their recommendations, the Dutch Cabinet will soon present a proposal for fair meat prices and wider fiscal reforms with the Dutch Parliament.
The Coalition will share the Dutch criteria for successful change with members of the EU Parliament at an event today. The aim of the event is to start a discussion on how to scale up the Dutch model to fit Europe, based on a higher meat price with benefits for all stakeholders involved, including farmers, consumers and Environmental NGOs.
The proposal for fair meat prices, with a sustainability cost included, is set out in an independent report by CE Delft, commissioned by the TAPP Coalition called A Sustainability Charge on Meat. The report calls for a new pricing model to be included in the European Green Deal and Farm to Fork Strategy.
The event is organised in collaboration with Compassion in World Farming. It will be hosted by Dutch European Greens MEP, Bas Eickhout and co-hosted by Social Democrat MEPS Mohammed Chahim and Sylwia Spurek.
Speaking ahead of the event, Climate Professor and TAPP Coalition Chair Pier Vellinga said, ‘Including the environmental cost of animal protein in the price is a crucial element of meeting EU targets for climate, biodiversity, public health, farming and animal welfare. Europe offers more complexity but also higher rewards for all.’
(Image by Alexas Fotos via Pixabay.com)
