Boris Johnson’s food tsar wants Brits to pay meat taxes even though it may risk riots
BORIS Johnson’s food tsar wants Brits to pay meat taxes even though it may risk riots, we can reveal.
Henry Dimbleby believes the move “may be necessary” to help tackle climate change, a draft report says.
Processed meats such as burgers, bacon, ham, sausages and chicken nuggets could face a levy, The Sun understands.
Sources said the document was “still a work in progress” but did not dispute the push to make some meats costlier.
Mr Dimbleby is expected to tell the PM that any tax should be avoided in the short term because it may spark uproar.
Sources familiar with the document, which is due to be released next month, say ministers fear street protests like those co-ordinated by the “Gilet Jaune” movement in France.
Mr Johnson ruled out a meat tax when he was quizzed on it by The Sun earlier this year.
Asked if there would be a such a levy on his watch, he replied: “No”.
However, a legally-binding targets to get the UK to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 could force the PM into drastic action
In the UK, a fifth of our emissions come from food, much of it from meat production.
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The draft plan, leaked to The Sun, also discusses how to help Brits get healthier and the introduction of a fruit and veggie growth strategy.
Poorer children could be given free fruit and veg to tackle obesity and be eco-friendly.
Ministers will assess the report as they draw up a White Paper for a National Food Strategy.
TV ads jam ban
MEDDLING ministers sparked a massive backlash yesterday after announcing they will criminalise advertising jam on TV before the watershed.
Adverts for tasty Christmas dinners will also be banished from our screens under the barmy plans.
The Department of Health confirmed it is banning companies from advertising food high in sugar or salt from advertising on telly before 9pm.
They also face a total online advertising ban, although they can plug their products on their own social media pages like Facebook and Instagram.
The draconian rules mean supermarkets flogging their festive feasts will be able to advertise turkey and sprouts – but not mince pies, trifle or cake.
Critics slammed the move, which they said will suck the joy out of food while only shaving less than a jelly bean’s worth of calories from a person’s diet.
Matt Kilcoyne, deputy director of the Adam Smith Institute think-tank, said: “Food is meant to be enjoyed, it’s meant to be literally tasty.
“Christmas food is festival food and it’s meant to make the heart sing and bring joy and warmth to the dark winter months.
“These Scrooges will stop at nothing until they’ve screwed over all our great British food, and we’re eating nothing but a few miserable Brussels sprouts for our Christmas dinner.”
Christopher Snowdon, for the free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said the plan is riddled with glaring inconsistencies.
He fumed: “Under the new plans, an apple pie can be advertised by a café but not by the McDonalds next door. The local takeaway can advertise kebabs and pizzas but Asda cannot advertise cheese.
“With its new exemptions, the government has acknowledged that banning adverts for normal, everyday food products would stifle competition, hurt businesses and be bad for consumers.
“It should now throw in the towel and accept that advertising jam, sandwiches and olive oil should not be a criminal act under any circumstance, regardless of how many people the company employs.”
Health Minister Jo Churchill, said the measures will help tackle childhood obesity.
She said: “The content youngsters see can have an impact on the choices they make and habits they form.”