TAPP Coalition: Farmers advocate for meat and dairy levy

A majority of Dutch livestock farmers support higher VAT rates on meat, dairy, and eggs to ensure better animal welfare and a fair income. This is revealed by a survey of nearly 400 farmers conducted by marketing agency Prosu. Farmers view a price increase for consumers as essential for delivering higher quality in terms of animal welfare and environmental standards.

There is notable support for a tax measure similar to an existing German model, where consumers contribute to animal welfare and farmer incomes through a VAT increase. German agricultural ministers have implemented this model, with part of the proceeds used for one-time payments to farmers for animal and environmentally friendly barn adjustments. 53 percent of Dutch farmers also see this plan as a good idea for the Netherlands. Almost half of the farmers export food to Germany and hope that future German subsidies will also be available to them.

Fair prices and eco-friendly taxes

Most farmers prefer a meat and dairy levy over an environmental tax that they would have to pay themselves. About 80 percent of farmers advocate for EU import duties on products from countries with lower environmental and animal welfare standards. The survey shows that a majority of Dutch farmers support eco-friendly taxes and fair prices. Currently, two-thirds of farmers do not receive a fair price for their products and state that this would only be possible with a price increase of at least 10-20 percent.

Tappcoalitie.nl