A report by the University of Oxford and the International Food Policy Research Institute in the US has sparked a debate on the introduction of a meat tax. We asked members and supporters what they thought.
We asked:
Do you think a meat tax is the best way to get people to eat less meat?
Total responses: 576
Your top five arguments for a meat tax:
- Anything to reduce meat consumption is worth it
- It would be worthwhile, but only alongside education and other methods
- Meat should already be more expensive than it is
- Having to pay more will make people eat less meat
- Taxes work on other things like tobacco and alcohol
Your top five arguments against a meat tax:
- Focus on education and culture change instead
- Some people will eat meat no matter what the cost
- It will disproportionately affect those with lower incomes
- It will just anger meat-eaters and cause hostility
- People should be able to make their own choices without interference
What do the experts say?
Lead researcher from the Nuffield Department of Population Health at Oxford University, Dr Marco Springmann, claims that the tax would benefit personal health, the environment and healthcare services, whilst still giving people choice.
There are concerns the tax would particularly affect lower income families. Christopher Snowdon from the Institute for Economic Affairs opposes a higher cost of living brought about by a meat tax.
Read the full report by University of Oxford and the International Food Policy Research Institute.