South African
Government has finally buckled to pressure from the SA Meat Association
to impose a tax on all vegan and vegetarian food.
Caxton Central | April 1, 2016
Corbis-42-35361488
Vegans and vegetarians around South Africa will have to pay a little more to buy their products at supermarkets. This is after the South African government buckled to the pressure from Pro-Meat Activist Group, SA Meat Association (SAMA) to impose a 4 percent tax on all products that are gluten free and do not contain any animal by-products. These products include organic quinoa flour, chickpeas, avocado, lentils, kale, miso, zucchini, coconut aminos, chia seeds, flax seeds, Ener-G and hemp.
SAMA claimed that during the current drought, food prices have gone up for almost every South African while vegans and vegetarians have enjoyed the luxury of low prices for products (mostly imported) that cater to them. Spokesperson of SAMA, Marise Witherspoon told media “It’s about time vegans and vegetarians felt the same pinch as meat eaters because while animals in farms are dying of starvation and drought, they choose to eat the same food we could be feeding to the animals. If they care so much about the animals, why do they eat the animal’s food?”
The South African government has welcomed the motion after Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan announced new taxes on sugar and other products in February this year during his budget speech. Gordhan spoke about the importance of imposing tax on products deemed harmful to the consumers or that simply do not contribute to the economy.
A spokesperson from the Nutritional Food Solutions Advisory Board, Thandiswa Ranaka said that they oppose this decision because it will affect food prices for vegetables and grains, which non-vegetarians also eat.
“South Africa was ranked second in the world for deaths related to sugary drinks – below only Mexico in a study. While this is alarming, the amount of diseases caused by eating meat is far worse and this vegetarian tax will affect all South Africans,” she said.
The tax will be implemented on 1 May and supermarkets countrywide are beginning to adjust their prices but consumers in the Western Cape, which has the highest concentration of vegans, are especially up in arms.
Vegan housewife Daniella Thomas from Constantia couldn’t believe the decision. “I think it is really irresponsible and undemocratic to impose such a tax on us because we already pay a lot of money to live this vegan lifestyle. My husband, kids and even pets are vegan so this very bad news for our family. It is clear the government doesn’t love animals or us.”
Caxton Central | April 1, 2016
Corbis-42-35361488
Vegans and vegetarians around South Africa will have to pay a little more to buy their products at supermarkets. This is after the South African government buckled to the pressure from Pro-Meat Activist Group, SA Meat Association (SAMA) to impose a 4 percent tax on all products that are gluten free and do not contain any animal by-products. These products include organic quinoa flour, chickpeas, avocado, lentils, kale, miso, zucchini, coconut aminos, chia seeds, flax seeds, Ener-G and hemp.
SAMA claimed that during the current drought, food prices have gone up for almost every South African while vegans and vegetarians have enjoyed the luxury of low prices for products (mostly imported) that cater to them. Spokesperson of SAMA, Marise Witherspoon told media “It’s about time vegans and vegetarians felt the same pinch as meat eaters because while animals in farms are dying of starvation and drought, they choose to eat the same food we could be feeding to the animals. If they care so much about the animals, why do they eat the animal’s food?”
The South African government has welcomed the motion after Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan announced new taxes on sugar and other products in February this year during his budget speech. Gordhan spoke about the importance of imposing tax on products deemed harmful to the consumers or that simply do not contribute to the economy.
A spokesperson from the Nutritional Food Solutions Advisory Board, Thandiswa Ranaka said that they oppose this decision because it will affect food prices for vegetables and grains, which non-vegetarians also eat.
“South Africa was ranked second in the world for deaths related to sugary drinks – below only Mexico in a study. While this is alarming, the amount of diseases caused by eating meat is far worse and this vegetarian tax will affect all South Africans,” she said.
The tax will be implemented on 1 May and supermarkets countrywide are beginning to adjust their prices but consumers in the Western Cape, which has the highest concentration of vegans, are especially up in arms.
Vegan housewife Daniella Thomas from Constantia couldn’t believe the decision. “I think it is really irresponsible and undemocratic to impose such a tax on us because we already pay a lot of money to live this vegan lifestyle. My husband, kids and even pets are vegan so this very bad news for our family. It is clear the government doesn’t love animals or us.”
Huh?? If they love animals why do they eat the animals' food? Are they hearing themselves? And vegan food is already expensive as it is. Especially the gluten0free stuff. Sizofa yindlala!
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