Columnist Andrew Leahey says a per-head tax on livestock could be deployed quickly and easily, counteracting carbon emissions from agriculture. The US

Taxing Cows a Pragmatic Step Toward Mitigating Climate Change

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2024-07-09 13:00:16

Columnist Andrew Leahey says a per-head tax on livestock could be deployed quickly and easily, counteracting carbon emissions from agriculture.

The US has 87.2 million cattle contributing to 10% of the nation’s greenhouse gas output from agriculture. A tax on US livestock would drive significant environmental benefits and promote more sustainable agricultural practices.

Such a tax could serve as a viable and immediate policy solution, with generated revenue earmarked for reforestation and responsible land use aimed at compensating for agricultural carbon emissions.

While the fossil fuel industry requires a gradual phase-out over decades, a livestock tax would reflect a more holistic approach to pricing greenhouse gases throughout the economy. It also would be an easy-to-pursue, pragmatic step toward mitigating climate change.

The federal government spends around $30 billion per year on subsidies for farm businesses and agriculture, according to calculations from the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank.