'Meat tax' on the table to protect the climate

German politicians from the Social Democrats (SPD) and the Greens on Wednesday proposed raising the value added tax (VAT) on meat to the standard rate of 19%. Currently, meat is taxed at a reduced rate of 7% like most foodstuffs.

"I am in favor of abolishing the VAT reduction for meat and earmarking it for more animal welfare," said Friedrich Ostendorf, agricultural policy spokesperson for the Greens.

His SPD counterpart Rainer Spieging added that "a meat tax, such as increasing the VAT to 19%, could be a way forward."

The lawmakers proposed using the additional funds raised by the tax increase to support animal welfare in the country at a time when the meat industry is coming under increased scrutiny for how it treats livestock.

Read more: Should there be a 'meat tax' to fight climate change?

Conditions on the table

The agriculture spokesperson from Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) was open to the plans. Under one condition:

"Such a tax can be a constructive proposal," said Albert Stegemann. "However, the additional tax revenue should be used to support livestock farmers to help them restructure."

But German Agriculture Minister Julia Klöckner of the CDU said the proposals highlighted the importance of supporting livestock farmers amid declining meat consumption, but that it wasn't necessary to raise the VAT on meat to do so. She said farmers shouldn't bear the brunt of government efforts.

Green Party leader Robert Habeck said he didn't support the measure because it didn't go far enough. Instead, he backed a full overhaul of the VAT system to tackle environmental concerns.

Read more: Why Germans are demanding a shift in agriculture

Controversial measures

Meat consumption has come under increased scrutiny over the past decade, with meatless diets, such as vegetarianism and veganism, gaining traction across the globe.

Scientists have labeled the meat industry one of the highest emitters of CO2, a key contributor to climate change. They have called for bold measures to decrease meat consumption as part of a holistic approach to combating climate change.

Opposition parties, including the Left Party and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), have rejected the proposed measures, according to German media.

Read more: From bratwurst to insect burgers: Snack bar culture in Germany

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ls/rt (dpa, epd)