Yesterday, a long survey was concluded and dumped upon the public....involving the Agricultural Ministry and the path ahead for meat products. Agrarheute has a good summary worth reading.
What is being suggested for meat-related products in the future....not only will there be a VAT (already existing) but also a fee tied into the purchase as well.
Generally discussed? This would amount to 50 Euro-cents per kilo. The 'profit' (amounting into the billions)? It would be dispersed to farmers to improve living conditions for cattle and pigs. Examples: improved heating for indoor situations for swine, or larger facilities (more square meters per pig).
Something that will be quickly accepted and adapted? Well....no. This is an idea which appears to be three to four years away from full implementation. Adding to this....the suggestion is that the EU itself needs to be pushing for full implementation across all of Europe.....otherwise, the meat/pork prices from non-German industry will be where grocery stores go to buy their meat.
General acceptance by the public? I would suggest that it's mixed. Some Germans are very much pro-animal and want improved living conditions on farms. Others will tell you that this fee business could get out of hand very easily.
The odds that the EU will pursue this? I'd give it a 10-percent chance.
So it's an idea that various pro-animal folks will feel good about and then realize two years later that it's more of a fantasy than reality.
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