Overview

• In an ARD Panorama interview, CSU minister Alois Rainer said climate protection has nothing to do with meat consumption.
• The agriculture ministry later said he meant climate policy extends beyond consumption and emphasized consumer freedom, while not stating whether high meat intake is harmful to the climate.
• Green politician Katharina Schulze accused Rainer of spreading fake news, and commentator Albrecht von Lucke labeled the remark the 'idiocy of the week.'
• Researchers and agencies report that livestock is a major source of greenhouse gases, and PIK’s Hermann Lotze-Campen said Paris targets require diets with fewer animal products.
• Rainer opposes raising VAT on meat as urged by government scientific advisers, and despite renewed scrutiny there has been no move to change tax policy.