The Federal Minister of Agriculture, Alois Rainer (CSU), has stated that current budgetary constraints preclude any potential reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) on essential foodstuffs. However, Rainer cautioned against measures that would artificially inflate meat prices, referencing potential concerns around animal welfare levies or VAT increases.
Speaking to the “Tagesspiegel” Rainer emphasized his role as focused on establishing equitable conditions rather than dictating supermarket pricing. “My responsibility isn’s to determine prices on shop shelves” he explained, “my task is to create fair frameworks. For me, this means reducing burdens on food producers and bolstering the competitiveness of agricultural businesses.
Rainer, drawing on his prior experience as a butcher, commented on the process of slaughtering, describing it as a surgical procedure involving a fatal outcome. He underscored the importance of proper anesthesia, stating, “If the animal is correctly stunned, it is the butcher’s duty to slaughter it professionally.
On a more personal note, the Minister revealed his preference for traditional family meals, specifically mentioning his skill in preparing roast pork with dumplings, cabbage and sauce. “In my family, nobody desires tofu” he added.