PETA ‘Pig’ to Hit Topeka With National Health Message: ‘Tax Meat’

Thrifty Move Would Cut Government Spending and Healthcare Costs, Saving Taxpayers Money

For Immediate Release:
 April 12, 2013 

Contact: 
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382 

Topeka, Kan. – A PETA activist decked out in a pig costume will be outside the IRS office in Topeka on Monday to educate all passersby about the need for a federal excise tax on meat. The PETA porker’s point? That eating meat can increase a person’s risk of developing cancer and heart disease—thereby driving healthcare costs through the roof. PETA says that meat should be taxed at 10 cents per pound to offset its staggering costs, just as alcohol, tobacco, gasoline, and other items are subject to a “sin” tax.

When:   Monday, April 15, 12 noon

Where:  At the corner of S.E. Sixth and S. Kansas avenues, Topeka

In addition to killing animals and humans with its unhealthy and cruel products, the meat industry is killing American pocketbooks. The federal government has a long history of giving away massive subsidies for livestock feed. Also, recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture bought $40 million of chicken products to try to reduce a surplus. Surely, we can all agree—it’s time to “cut the pork!” In addition, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics determined that vegetarians have lower rates of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity than meat-eaters do.

“The health problems caused by eating meat—not to mention the subsidies that the meat industry receives—take a huge bite out of the U.S. budget,” says PETA Vice President Dan Mathews. “Slapping a long-overdue tax on meat would save countless lives—including those of animals.”

For more information, please visit TaxMeat.com.