'And pigs might fly': Proposed bacon tax ridiculed
An animal rights activist has been ridiculed for suggesting bacon should be taxed, saying it is carcinogenic and its consumption needs to be discouraged.
In an article titled, “Why stop at smokes? Let’s tax bacon too”, published in News Corp's Rendezview, PETA Australia associate director Ashley Fruno called for the new tax.
“Foods laden with animal fats are literally killing us, since the consumption of meat, dairy and eggs is linked to an increased risk of suffering from obesity, cancer, diabetes and heart disease,” Ms Fruno said.
“We already pay extra taxes on cigarettes, alcohol and petrol to help offset the health and environmental costs of these items, so it would be a similar process for a meat tax.”
She suggested adding an excise on “processed meats to match the tobacco tax” would “tip the scales towards a healthier, cleaner and kinder future for Australia”.
But Treasurer Scott Morrison insisted he wasn’t going to let “these political activists into your fridge or your pantry”.
“First the PC brigade want to take our statues, now they want to take our bacon! Pigs might fly,” Mr Morrison told News Corp.
In 2015, the World Health Organisation classified processed meats, such as bacon, as carcinogenic to humans based on evidence their consumption increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer.
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Advertising guru Jane Caro suggested PETA was “just trying to attract attention”.
“I know bacon and all preserved meats are dangerous,” she told Sunrise.
“People in the cancer industry tell us to keep it to a minimum. Eat your bacon, drink your wine, and enjoy yourself, because something will kill you.”
Radio 3AW's Tom Elliott said people know that excess consumption of bacon is bad for you.
"People know this, we don't need the ferederal government we don't need the government to tax us, so leave bacon alone, it's delicious," he said.
Australian Pork Limited CEO Andrew Spencer slammed the “crazy idea” and said it was “not even worth considering”.
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