Struggling German Meat Industry Threatened by Tax-Hike Proposal
- Meat production down 5% over the past five years led by pork
- Proposal for hike in sales tax provokes national debate
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Already grappling with waning domestic appetite for their products, German livestock farmers and meat producers were confronted this week with the specter of a hike in sales tax that could further crimp demand.
A national debate was triggered in the home of the Bratwurst when animal-rights activists urged lawmakers to raise the levy on meat products to 19%, from the current discounted rate of 7%, to fund improvements to the living conditions of livestock.