EU Considers Meat Tax That Could Slash Beef Consumption by 67 Percent by 2030

The European Union (EU) is considering a proposal to impose a “sustainability” tax on purchases of beef, pork, and chicken. The proposal—which was recently presented to lawmakers at the European Parliament—was created by Amsterdam-based True Animal Protein Price (TAPP) Coalition, which brings together environmental, health, and animal-welfare groups. It says “fair pricing” for meat should be set based on the costs of greenhouse gas emissions, air and water pollution, and loss of wildlife associated with animal farming. TAPP Coalition Director Jeroom Remmers told media outlet Fortune that the proposal to raise meat prices would lower Europe’s carbon dioxide emissions and “show the world that Europe really wants to do something about climate change.” The TAPP Coalition report estimates that covering the environmental costs of production would increase the price of beef by approximately 25 percent and suggests this tax should be implemented over the next decade. The tax on pork and chicken would be lower because of their smaller environmental footprint. The report suggests such charges could reduce beef consumption in the EU by 67 percent, pork by 57 percent, and chicken by 30 percent by 2030.