Pork and bacon prices will not be affected by a rise in the pig slaughter levy, the pork industry says.The levy - which goes towards promoting the pork industry - will be increased from July 1.
But Australian Pork Limited CEO Andrew Spencer says the levy is not a bacon tax, despite comments to the contrary on Twitter following the budget announcement.
"The increase to the pig slaughter levy has been completely misreported and is not a bacon tax," he said.
"This levy will not change the retail price of pork and pork products."
The Twittersphere was abuzz with people discussing the pig slaughter levy on Tuesday night, with hundreds of people tweeting on the #bacontax hashtag.
"Treasury have gone the whole hog on finding new revenues #Budget #bacontax," Bondles wrote.
"The #bacontax proves the greens are driving Gillard's vegan agenda," Zackster tweeted.
Budget papers show the levy will increase from $1.35 to $2.25 per head over three years from July 1.
The pig slaughter levy is collected from producers to support the peak industry body Australian Pork Limited in undertaking marketing and policy activities on behalf of the industry.
Mr Spencer said the pig slaughter levy increase was revenue neutral from the government's perspective.
Its inclusion in the budget papers was a formality, he said.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8464668/bacon-tax-fears-founded-on-porkymmmmmm bacon
