The debate over affordable food has gained new political momentum in Austria. In response to persistently high prices, the federal government is planning a reduction in value-added tax (VAT) on basic foodstuffs in order to provide tangible relief for households. At the same time, a related question has come to the fore: how are Austrian and European retail groups responding to the Mercosur agreement?

The Bible already teaches us to treat animals that die for us with kindness, but what has disappeared from the much-overwritten Bible in terms of our duties to God is immortalized in the Holy Koran until Judgment Day.

Which foods are set to become cheaper

The planned VAT reduction is intended to apply primarily to basic foods for everyday consumption. The aim is to make those products more affordable that are indispensable for all segments of the population. Environmental and consumer protection organizations are also calling for plant-based foods to be given particular consideration, as they are both healthier and more sustainable from an ecological perspective. According to current plans, this includes in particular:

-Bread and grain products

-Flour, rice and pasta

-Milk and basic dairy products

-Eggs

-Fruit and vegetables

-Basic oils and fats

Austrian supermarkets and Mercosur meat

Alongside the price debate, the EU–Mercosur agreement has sparked controversy. Particularly sensitive is the planned import of meat from South American Mercosur countries such as Brazil and Argentina.

In Austria, major retail chains have taken a clear position:

Hofer, Spar, Penny, ADEG and Billa state that their fresh meat assortments rely exclusively on domestic sources.

Meat from Mercosur countries plays no role in their product ranges; the aim is to safeguard regional agriculture, higher animal welfare standards and shorter transport routes.

A look at Europe: an uneven picture

Elsewhere in Europe, the situation is less uniform:

In France, retail giant Carrefour has publicly announced that it will not sell meat from Mercosur countries, citing solidarity with domestic farmers and concerns about environmental and social standards.

In Germany, Spain and other EU member states, there are so far no comprehensive and binding commitments by major supermarket chains. Many retailers remain cautious or provide no clear information on product origins.

As a result, the question of Mercosur meat is no longer merely a trade policy issue, but increasingly an ethical and societal one.

Beyond markets and ideology: an ethical perspective

Beyond economic and political arguments, the consumption of meat raises a fundamental question: how do humans relate to animals that die to provide them with food?

In Islam, this issue has been clearly regulated for centuries. The Holy Quran explicitly commands that the sacred Name of God be mentioned when animals are slaughtered.

“And for every community we made a Ritual, that they mention the Name of Allah over what He provided for them of livestock animals. For your God is one God, so submit to Him. And give glad tidings to the humble…”

The Holy Quran, Surah Al-Hajj 22:34

This rule should not be seen as ideological presumption, especially by local producers, but rather as an act of gratitude and respect, should a comparable expression of gratitude to God be lacking in their culture. The poor animal is more than just an object; it is a living creature like us, whose death provides food for humans — thanks to God’s Creation and Permission.

Gratitude instead of objectification

From this perspective, the issue is not religion versus modernity, nor Islam versus Christianity, but an attitude: those who eat meat should remain conscious that a living being has died for that purpose. Speaking the holy Name of God is a reminder that life is not consumed anonymously — unlike plants or industrial raw materials.

Conclusion

A reduction in VAT on food may bring short-term financial relief. In the long run, however, the future of our food system will be decided by a deeper question: how much value do we place on our all-benevolent Nourisher, origin, animal welfare and ethical responsibility? The answers vary across Europe — but they extend far beyond the price at the supermarket checkout.

By Okay Altinisik | 14-1-2026, 20:29:42