Raw Deal: Germany’s Minister Of Agriculture Proposes Tax On Meat

Under the bottom line, the green movement is all about taxing people and restricting their choices. The rich, of course, will go unaffected. 

According to online Bild here, Germany’s Federal Agriculture Minister, Cem Özdemir, (Green Party) has recently proposed a consumption tax on meat. He calls this tax “animal welfare cents”.

Özdemir sent a framework paper to the coalition government where he recommends a consumer tax on meat.

“The main aim is to generate tax revenue for agricultural and food policy projects. Özdemir sees this step as an opportunity to financially support important projects in the field of sustainable agriculture,” reports Blackout News here. “In particular, meat, meat products, edible offal and processed products containing a certain proportion of these products are to be taxed.”

Food inflation was at double digit rates over much of the past 2 years, and a meat tax will only further exacerbate the inflationary spiral. Germany’s policy on energy has made energy there among the most expensive in the world, and has led to a series of price increases through the entire supply chain.

“A few cents per kilo” 

The planned amount of the meat tax remains unknown, but the talk has been of a modest amount in the range of “a few cents per kilo.”

Özdemir “wants it to do long-term good for agriculture and the environment” and he “views the levy as an important investment in the future,” reports Blackout News.

Audi production moving to China, Mexico

On another note, Blackout News also reports on how German luxury carmaker Audi is now planning to move production out of Germany and over to China and Mexico.

“Audi is planning to reduce its production capacity in Europe. The German car manufacturer intends to produce the Q8 e-tron model in Mexico and China.”

“The decision will have a major impact on the plant in Brussels. The Group currently produces the Q8 e-tron exclusively there. According to information from company circles, the company is considering relocating production of this model from Belgium to Mexico and China.”