Excise duties on meat, is it really happening?

The 'True Animal Protein Coalition' (TAPP) assumes that the Ministry of Agriculture will introduce the meat tax. They invite LTO Nederland to work together on what they see as realistic pricing of meat and how to spend this tax revenue. Minister Schouten seems enthusiastic. 

The TAPP Coalition, consisting of farmers, doctors, food organizations, young people, environmental and animal welfare organizations and various companies, has been advocating a higher price for meat and dairy since 2018. In their view, this is 'fairer', because it takes into account the environmental costs. They want to lower the price of fruit and vegetables with the money generated by the meat tax.

Elections stake
Yesterday (September 29) Minister Schouten sent a letter to the House of Representatives which shows that she takes TAPP's plea seriously. The coalition collected 50.017 signatures this spring for their plans for higher meat prices. In June, the group handed them over to Minister Schouten. The minister also indicated that it is good for the meat tax to be put on the map, but does not expect it to come before the parliamentary elections of 2021. "Focus on the writers of the election programs", was her advice.

Whether the meat tax will actually come will therefore (partly) depend on the outcome of the upcoming elections. With the letter to parliament, Schouten is already giving a shot at the bow by showing willingness to investigate the plans of the TAPP and, if it turns out to be realistic, to want to implement them. "Because such pricing mechanisms can be the key to a true convergence of economic, social and environmental sustainability, I want to associate myself with all parties who are willing to investigate these and – if the outcome is favorable - put them into practice."

Where does money hang on the bow?
In the coming weeks, Schouten expects the results of the first so-called agro-nutri monitor, which can stimulate sustainability. This instrument shows for each link in the food chain what price companies pay for purchasing a product and what the selling price is. The monitor will also describe the differences in price structure between a number of regular products and their sustainable variant.

Soon after the publication of this monitor, Minister Schouten wants to sit down with supermarkets, among others, to discuss the progress of making the food supply more sustainable on the basis of the results of these initial results. In the letter to parliament, the minister also describes the agreements that have been made with the supermarkets so far in order to achieve 'a more sustainable food supply, which also provides agricultural entrepreneurs with a sustainable 'sustainable' revenue model'.

According to Schouten, the past year (probably referring to the massive farmer protests, ed.) has once again made it clear how crucial it is for the future of the sector that farmers and horticulturists are appreciated for the work they do. "That also applies to farmers and horticulturists who are taking the step to circular agriculture and are going through drastic changes. Together with other parties in the food chain, supermarkets are in a position to meet agricultural entrepreneurs who supply them."

Price guarantees supermarkets
Schouten is not yet completely satisfied, she informs the House. 'I look forward to further steps by the supermarket sector. Those further steps are necessary, because I also conclude that more needs to be done to achieve a truly trusted collaboration between supermarkets and farmers and horticulturists who want to fully commit to sustainable agriculture."

Schouten refers to the margins in the entire chain. These are under pressure from fierce competition in domestic and international markets, coupled with the ongoing tendency to oversupply. According to her, long-term partnerships are essential to give a strong boost to the sustainability of the food supply in this context. "Demand and supply are then better aligned and producers can continue to increase their sustainability performance in an economically responsible manner. Supermarkets recognize this, are also working on this in their own way, and in my view can take (even) more of the lead because of their chain position. take."

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