Struggling German meat industry threatened by tax-hike proposal

The German farmers' association says that an increase in tax would drive consumers to buy cheaper products imported from European countries with less-stringent animal welfare laws

Already grappling with waning domestic appetite for their products, German livestock farmers and meat producers were confronted this week with the specter of a hike in sales tax that could further crimp demand.

A national debate was triggered in the home of the Bratwurst when animal-rights activists urged lawmakers to raise the levy on meat products to 19 per cent, from the current discounted rate of 7 per cent, to fund improvements to the living conditions of livestock.

A poll for the Funke media group showed a majority of Germans, or 56.4 per cent, backed the measure, with more than a third