Summary
This modelling study estimates economically optimal tax rates on red and processed meat that internalise their social health costs, using computational analysis to project health and climate co-benefits across high, middle, and low-income country settings. The findings suggest that context-specific tax levels substantially outperform generic tax rules in reducing disease burden and agricultural emissions, particularly in affluent and middle-income regions. The work contributes to the policy evidence base for market-based interventions on meat consumption.
UK applicability
As a high-income country with existing meat taxation policy debate, the United Kingdom could use this study's methodology to estimate optimal UK-specific tax levels that account for domestic health costs and emissions profiles. The findings support moving beyond flat-rate taxation towards evidence-based, contextualised approaches in UK food policy.
Key measures
Optimal tax rates (context-specific); health burden reduction; food-system greenhouse gas emissions reduction; economic and health outcomes by income group
Outcomes reported
The study modelled optimal tax rates on red and processed meat by internalising social health costs, and estimated potential reductions in disease burden and food-system emissions across different income settings. Results were presented as context-specific tax level recommendations rather than generic rules.
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