Coalition parties VVD and CDA see little in meat tax

Agriculture minister Henk Staghouwer cannot yet count on the support of all coalition parties for the meat tax that he is commissioning research into. VVD and CDA are not in favor of the measure, which should encourage people to make “more sustainable and healthier choices”.

CDA MP Derk Boswijk calls a meat tax “not the right way” to achieve that. “Groceries must remain affordable now, and in the future,” he believes. As far as Boswijk is concerned, the cabinet could better focus on more “awareness”. And he points out that it has been agreed in the coalition agreement that VAT on fruit and vegetables will eventually be reduced to 0 percent.

Thom van Campen of the largest governing party VVD also applies the brakes. “We cannot support the one-sided path towards a meat tax that is now being taken.” He wants the minister to investigate other options, “because groceries must remain affordable for everyone.”