November 2006

Go vegetarian NOW! And help cut
greenhouse gases

“Rearing cattle produces more greenhouse gases than driving cars”, UN report warns - UN's own headline

In response to the shocking UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s report released today The Vegetarian Society is urging the public to go vegetarian and help ease the catastrophic impact of livestock farming.

According to the report, widespread cattle rearing exacts an even higher price on the earth’s ecology than driving cars.

“The environmental costs per unit of livestock production must be cut by one half, just to avoid the level of damage worsening beyond its present level,” the report warns.

The Society suggests a far simpler solution, go vegetarian.

Dr Annette Pinner, Chief Executive of The Vegetarian Society said: “The scale of this problem is of such importance to the future of the planet that adopting a vegetarian diet is not only desirable but essential. We welcome the FAO’s strong stance on the findings of this report and the clear message that, if we don’t mend our ways, the damage will be irreparable.”

 

Notes for editors

• Please contact Collette Walsh for further information and interviews. The Vegetarian Society Press Office: 0161 925 2012. Email: collette@vegsoc.org

• Outside office hours The Vegetarian Society Press Office can be contacted on 07973 108 165/7.

• Alternatively visit the website for lots more information about going vegetarian at www.vegsoc.org

• The Vegetarian Society of the UK (founded in 1847) was the first organisation worldwide to adopt the term “vegetarian”. The Vegetarian Society’s definition of a vegetarian is:

‘Someone who eats no meat, poultry, fish, shellfish or crustacea and also avoids the by-products of the slaughterhouse such as gelatine, rennet and animal fats.’ The majority of vegetarians eat free-range eggs.