Global Economics
The Economic Case for Taxing Meat
Shackled cows in assembly line. How far are we prepared to go to make a dollar or satisfy our habit of eating meat? With the new substitutes that resemble meat fiber to a fault, and are in fact superior in terms of nutrients, the last excuse has been removed. The palate does not suffer and vegetarianism does not mean to be an eater of bark. But the inertia continues and the suffering goes on.
As tax season ramps up, we’re bound to hear proposals aimed at making the revenue system simpler and more efficient. A perennial is the “sin tax.” Rather than tax earnings—when we really want people to earn money—why not tax things we don’t want people to do? Add duties to cigarettes, alcohol, and carbon dioxide to slow people’s smoking, drinking, and polluting, and you’ll do them and the world a favor while raising revenue for schools, hospitals, and roads. But why stop there? It’s time to add one more sin to the list of habits that should be taxed: excessive meat consumption. Continue reading »
