Denmark Suggests to Tax Cow Farts
Saturday April 4, 2009
Yes. I'm serious.
The Danish Tax Commission estimates that each cow releases around four tonnes of methane each year (35% more than one car) and imposing a tax on cow farts would bring in 500 million Kroner annually - as well as support Denmark's environmental goals. Officially, the legislation is politely referred to as the "agricultural methane tax."
Naturally, the farmers are against this and it will be interesting to see if the bill passes...or if the Danish Tax Commission has more creative ideas like creating a "human methane tax."
The Danish Tax Commission estimates that each cow releases around four tonnes of methane each year (35% more than one car) and imposing a tax on cow farts would bring in 500 million Kroner annually - as well as support Denmark's environmental goals. Officially, the legislation is politely referred to as the "agricultural methane tax."
Naturally, the farmers are against this and it will be interesting to see if the bill passes...or if the Danish Tax Commission has more creative ideas like creating a "human methane tax."
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Comments
Hi Terri
Very nice page you have here about my home country Denmark (and rest of Scandinavia)
Most foreigners tend to laugh of the tax system we have in Denmark, as we put tax on almost everything, but actually the Danish citizens are used to that and the large majority of then have accepted that high tax (as crazy as they might be) = high welfare.
A tax on cow farts – agricultural methane tax – might seem way out, but as you know the Denmark wants to maintain its position as a world leader In terms of CO2 reduction. It has already been scientifically proven that the cow produce a lot of CO2 so I think, putting tax on cow farts, and thereby increasing production costs of cow meat, could lead to lower consumption of cows, which would be good for the environment in the long run.
So although is sound crazy with a tax on cow farts, I think it is actually something, which other countries should also consider!
brgds
Morten
200 years from now, the history text books will joke about cow farts being taxed and call us Darkest Ages theorisers.
Just thinkin. Even if cattlemen cut down on the breedin’, wouldn’t the fact that fewer cows is bein’ killed signify that more cows and therefore more fartin’ is happenin’ per diem?
Acutally, I believe it may be possible to market a “Beano for Bovines” ….which will also work on Mr Boehner the republican