The Dutch city of Haarlem has decided to ban meat advertisements in public spaces, becoming the first city in the world to implement such a prohibition. The local authorities aim to reduce the impact of animal farming on the climate. This was reported by the British newspaper "The Guardian." The ban will take effect starting in 2024, and meat advertisements will not be allowed on buses, in orphanages, or on screens in public places.
The ban in Haarlem stems from a study indicating that forests are being cut down for animal farming and that fertilizers used for growing animal feed pollute soil and water, negatively affecting the environment. The initiative's proponents clarified that they do not wish to inform the public about the climate crisis while simultaneously encouraging them to purchase products that contribute to it. Politician Ziggy Klazis stated, "We are not talking about who bakes and fries in their kitchen. If they want to continue eating meat, that’s fine. But we cannot discuss the climate crisis and encourage the purchase of products that are part of its cause."
It is noted that James Valler, the head of Europe’s largest meat canning factory, predicted in October 2021 a gradual phase-out of meat to save the planet, stating, "Against the backdrop of many countries' desire to achieve carbon neutrality, people will eat steaks of marble beef only in exceptional cases."
