Soon increase in the price of meat in Germany?

2024-04-16 14:16:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Where the animals are bred, in Germany, there will have to be better conditions in the future. But who finances this cost increase for better conditions? Experts want more consumer participation in animal welfare costs. The Commission for the Future of Agriculture, (ZKL) convened by the German government recently proposed increasing the value added tax on meat products in several stages. An increase in VAT for meat products from 7% as it is now is simple to implement, argued this commission established by the German government in a document analyzed by "ARD" television.

Soon increase in the price of meat in Germany?

On the other hand, the commission recommends, in order not to burden the wallets of consumers, a "broader reform of the VAT" from which "taxes for other products can be reduced. For example, the reduction of VAT for cereals and fruits and vegetables "In the medium term, more means will be needed to restructure the breeding of animals used for food, to include an increasing number of participating farms. It is required to compensate families with lower incomes, "because those with relatively high spending on food items are disproportionately affected," according to the commission.

Meat consumption decreases in Germany

The German Minister of Agriculture, Cem Özdemir, welcomed this proposal. ZKL recommends increasing the VAT for meat and its products by several stages, and on the other hand, reducing it to zero for vegetables and fruits. The Greens politician said that this "would have an effect of orientation towards better health and thus supports farmers". But the Association of German Farmers, DBV has rejected the proposal. "We reject the increase of VAT over the current one or even one cent for animal welfare", stated its president, Joachim Rukwind. "Funds for the restructuring of animal breeding must come from the federation." But it seems very unlikely that the German government will respond to such a request, due to the difficult budget situation in Germany.

Soon increase in the price of meat in Germany?

Meanwhile, the trend of reducing meat consumption in Germany continues. According to a statistic, last year each German consumed an average of 51.6 kg of meat, a significantly more significant decrease and the lowest amount since the beginning of measurements in this field. The German Minister of Agriculture sees this as a positive sign and a consolidation of the trend for years. "Many people today eat less meat, but in a more ecological way." Germans care more about their health, the effect meat consumption has on the environment and animal welfare, according to Özdemir. The consumption of beef decreased the most by 5%, to 8.9 kg per person, while the consumption of chicken and turkey increased.

Meanwhile, the Bundestag debated for the first time on Friday (11.04.) the German government's food strategy published in January. According to the new strategy of the German government, young people and children in Germany should eat healthier. Especially in kindergartens and schools, food in the future will contain less meat and sugar products and more vegetables and fruits. Furthermore, the ban on advertising for unhealthy products with a lot of sugar, fat or salt will continue and further introduction of the nutritional value of food at the EU level will be required. The Minister of Agriculture, Cem Özdemir, defended this strategy, but the CDU opposition, as well as the small liberal partner in the government, expressed criticism for paternalism towards the citizens./ DW