Fat tax - stupid!

I couldn't believe it when I heard on the news this morning that the Danish Government has imposed a tax on butter. Butter! Yep, Denmark has become the first country in the world to impose a "fat tax." It's not a tax on being fat -- it's a tax on buying fat. The Danes, of all people. I thought Scandinavians were sensible people! Denmark's obesity rate is thought to be around 10 percent. Compared to America, where the obesity rate is closer to 30 percent, or Australia and New Zealand, where it's also around 30 percent, or even the U.K. with its 20 percent obesity rate, Denmark actually seems to be in pretty good shape. The Guardian story is here.

A tax on Danish butter - best in the world (next to NZ butter, of course) - what a crime. This tax is misguided and stupid. If there is going to be a "sin tax" on bad food, why not on sugary foods, which do far more harm and contribute far more to obesity. Earlier this year, Hungary introduced a new tax popularly known as the "Hamburger Law," but that was on soft drinks, pastries, salty snacks, ie junk food. I can see the sense in that. 

I can only hope the nanny brigade doesn't attempt the same thing here - let's hope the dairy industry lobby is strong enough to put up a good fight.

This is what I see every day - this is a photo taken last summer of the cows grazing on the farm next door. Real cows producing real food.