The meat sector is not happy with the meat tax, says the Central Organization for the Meat Sector (COV). The purpose of the tax on meat is to encourage more sustainable meat production, according to the COV the opposite is true.
'The Netherlands is a forerunner in the field of animal welfare, animal health care and the environment,' says General Secretary Van der Kruijk. 'Our industry is an international leader and an example for further sustainability. We are lowering global averages for environmental pressure and raising animal welfare scores. It is no good to misjudge our pioneering position, to put global figures on our country and then put an extra burden on our industry.' According to the organization, this puts the Netherlands at a disadvantage in the international playing field.
Van der Kruijk fears that if the Dutch government makes all meat artificially more expensive, consumers will give up and efforts to make it more sustainable will be negated. 'In addition, the cattle and pig population in the Netherlands will shrink rather than grow,' according to the COV.
Van der Kruijk: 'As a trading and exporting country, we should not take tax measures that affect our own consumers and industries and thus negatively affect our competitive position. Trade flows with other countries will start, which will not help our policy goals regarding public health and (further) sustainability.
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