Summary
This 2021 policy analysis examines the economic case for meat taxation as a mechanism to correct market failures arising from unpriced externalities in meat production and consumption. Drawing on multidisciplinary authorship from leading economics and food-systems research groups, the authors develop a framework for calculating optimal tax levels to address environmental, public health, and resource costs. The work contributes to the literature on fiscal instruments for sustainable food-system transition.
UK applicability
The framework could inform UK fiscal policy design, particularly as the Government and Devolved Administrations consider food-system instruments aligned with climate and health objectives. The methodology would require adaptation to UK-specific production systems, supply chains, and policy contexts.
Key measures
Optimal tax rates on meat products; quantified externalities (environmental, health, resource); cost internalisation levels
Outcomes reported
The study developed a framework for calculating optimal taxation levels on meat products to account for environmental, public health, and resource costs not reflected in market prices. The analysis estimated tax levels needed to internalise various externalities across different meat types.
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