PETA is calling for taxation on meat.

Would a taxation on meat work? Would it reduce consumption?

Probably.

When cigarettes are taxed or when the taxes go up, people try harder to quit. When gasoline is taxed or when the taxes go up, people tend to drive less and carpool more. Taxes are somewhat effective in creating some changes in human behavior.

But when taxes go up, people stockpile too. And they set up black markets. And do other things to try to avoid taxes.

Would there be some other downsides? Might taxation make it more difficult to stop the meat industry later? Might some of the collected taxes enable or justify meat-industry welfare/ subsidies? Might it result in an increase in hunting? Not sure… what do you think?

Why does PETA want a tax on meat, anyway?

Here are their responses:

• For the Environment“[...]the meat industry is the leading cause of global warming.”
• For the Health of Americans : “A 10-cent tax on every pound of [...] flesh sold in grocery stores and restaurants would also help reduce Americans’ skyrocketing annual health care costs by encouraging people to eat less meat. According to the American Dietetic Association, vegetarians are less prone than meat-eaters to develop heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer or to become obese.”
• For Animals: “In today’s massive factory farms, chickens, turkeys, fish, pigs, and other animals are horribly abused.”
• FAQ

Or read more at the PETA Files >>

Sections: Vegan Activism, Vegan News
Topics: activism, peta, taxes, Vegan