The Dutch city of Haarlem, west of Amsterdam, is the first city in the world to ban advertisements for meat in public spaces. Concluding its a contributor to the climate crisis, advertisements for meat will be prohibited by the city beginning in 2024.
The new legislation will not allow meat advertisements on buses, shelters or screen in any of Haarlem’s public spaces, according to Food Ingredients First.
No meat advertisements will be permitted on buses, shelters or screens in Haarlem’s public spaces, reported Food Ingredients First.
“We can’t tell people there’s a climate crisis and encourage them to buy products that are part of the cause,” Ziggy Klazes, Haarlem GroenLinks councilor who drafted the motion, said. “Meat is just as harmful to the environment.”
The legislation will also include a ban on advertisements for fossil fuels, fossil fuel-powered cars and vacation flights, The Guardian reported.
But the meat sector denounced the legislation claiming it to be an issue of free speech.
“The authorities are going too far in telling people what’s best for them,” the Central Organization for the Meat Sector (COV) spokesperson said.
“Of course, there are a lot of people who find the decision outrageous and patronizing, but there are also a lot of people who think it’s fine… It is a signal—if it is picked up nationally, that would only be very nice,” Klazes said.
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