Farm to Frame
Germany’s Meat Tax Debate
24.10.2024
By Anna Sophia Leibinger
Supervisor: Dr. Susanne B. Unger
The food we eat affects not only our health but also the welfare of livestock animals and the environment. Animal-based products, especially red meats, are particularly harmful, both environmentally and for human health. In response, many have proposed taxing meat or all animal-based food products to encourage sustainable and healthy dietary patterns, but no country has implemented such a policy. In Germany, the debate over such a tax has evolved over the past five years, influenced by various events and stakeholders. This project explores these developments, analyzing 381 newspaper articles to reveal the arguments and narrative frames used, which readers can explore interactively. Additionally, it addresses some of the most common anti-tax arguments using scientific evidence to provide a clearer understanding of the policy’s potential impact.
You can find the final project here: https://food-planeth.de/wp3-food-taxation/farm-to-frame/