Considering reducing your meat consumption for ethical reasons? Good for you. Considering reducing it for financial reasons? Also understandable.
In fact, the Dutch government hopes that more people will make this decision.
How? By introducing a tax on meat in the Netherlands. 🥩 The cabinet is currently looking into whether or not such a tax is enforceable, the NOS reports.
Why a tax on meat?
The reasoning behind the investigation comes down to a little concept called the “Wheel of five.” No, this is not some mystical tale but a political goal, if you will.
The concept is simple: people in the Netherlands need to eat according to the “Wheel of five,” meaning they need to eat a balanced amount of meat and vegetables.
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The only problem is that at the moment, many people in the Netherlands eat about 60% meat and 40% veggies. 🙅 🥦
The hope is that the government can appeal to the Dutch’s thriftiness and encourage people to put down the meat package if it costs more.
Healthy or restrictive
However, some politicians argue that a tax on meat will only mean that meat is less accessible to those who earn less than others.
Thomas Van Campen of the VVD took to Twitter to say that the party does not see a tax on meat as a viable option in the Netherlands, saying “The VVD wants to look into other possible options because groceries must remain affordable for everyone.”
What do you think of a meat tax? Tell us in the comments below!
The meat tax will definitely be not the best way to achieve the goal of people eating less meat, as they said, to put the responsibility on the people as usual, it’s easier in a way but not efficient because it’s not the cause.
It will better to stop the meat industry that provides very cheap meat with bad quality. Stopping having street food who doesn’t propose any vegetables. And of course education in the way that proposed alternatives. It’s a entire new political system that is needed.
stupid idjits get out of our plate and personal preferences!
governments are not there to dictate way of life
I suppose if you want to cause widespread nutrient deficiency around the country, you could do that. What does science say on the topic? https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article/79/Supplement_1/26/6164904
Since 1962 the EU and its common agricultural policy subsidise meat production. So it is fair to say that the idiocy dates back, as the meat that is being eaten is cheaper than the fair market price should be. Since there are many objections to eating meat, and viable alternatives for your proteines, taxing it seems an interesting dissuasive measure. But I’d prefer the EU to stop interfering in the free market.