‘Pig’ and ‘Cow’ to Demand a ‘Sin Tax’ on Meat

PETA Will Point Out the High Health and Environmental Costs of Eating Animal Flesh

For Immediate Release:
April 17, 2017

Contact:
Brooke Rossi 202-483-7382

What:    On Tax Day, a PETA “pig” and “cow” will visit the Texas State Capitol and demand, “Tax Meat!” PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—sent Texas legislators a letter earlier this month suggesting an excise (or “sin”) tax of 10 cents on every pound of meat sold in grocery stores and restaurants.

When:    Tuesday, April 18, 12 noon

Where:    State Capitol Building, 11^th Street and Congress Avenue, Austin

PETA notes that while tobacco, alcohol, and gasoline are all taxed by Texas because of their negative health or environmental consequences, meat has so far gotten off tax-free—even though studies show that it’s the number one cause of climate change and a leading contributor to many of the worst (and most costly) health problems Americans face, including heart disease, strokes, cancer, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

“Eating meat is destroying our planet and driving up our medical costs,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA is calling for Texas to impose a ‘sin tax’ on animal flesh that would help make the state healthier, greener, and more humane.”

For more information, please visit PETA.org.