Press
Releases |
| 23-29 May 2005
National Vegetarian Week
sponsored by Quorn – It might just surprise you! STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL MONDAY MAY 23rd 2005 Q. What’s
the difference between a pig and a dog?
a) Dogs are more intelligent than pigs. b) 4%* of Britons would eat a dog, compared to 87%* who are happy to tuck into meat taken from a pig. c) Most pigs are kept on farms and slaughtered before they are a year old, most dogs live out their natural lifespan in people’s homes and are treated as family members. Actually this is a trick question. The only incorrect answer is ‘a’. It might surprise you to discover that many scientists believe that pigs are actually more intelligent than dogs (on a par with primates). Which begs the question – why the disparity in people’s attitudes towards these two species? A new NOP survey commissioned by The Vegetarian Society found that British people’s attitudes towards species traditionally viewed as food differs hugely from those traditionally viewed as pets. Chickens fared worst in the survey with 92%* of respondents reporting that they would eat chicken. Cows and pigs were next in the queue – 88% & 87%* stating that they would eat these animals. Far fewer people said they would consider eating horse – only 17%*, and just 4%* claimed they would find a meal of cat or dog acceptable.* The NOP survey also found that 35%* of people are ‘horrified by the way farm animals are treated.’ And that at least 66%* of people would not be able to kill an animal for food themselves. Tina Fox, The Vegetarian Society’s chief executive
commented: The Society recently carried out an on-line survey of 1000 vegetarians to find the top ten reasons why people choose to go veggie. The results were as follows:
2. Moral or spiritual conviction that taking life is wrong 3. Wouldn’t eat cat or dog, makes no sense to discriminate against other animals 4. Believe that animals have innate right to life 5. Consider a vegetarian diet to be healthier than eating meat 6. Couldn’t kill an animal themselves 7. Dislike of the taste and texture of meat 8. Religion advocates vegetarian diet 9. Vegetarian from birth, no desire to change 10. Concern about the impact of livestock farming on the environment If you want to make the change The Vegetarian Society is offering a free guide to going veggie – get your copy of ‘Food for Thought’ by ringing 0161 925 2000.
EDITOR’S NOTES • For more information about National Vegetarian Week contact Kerry on 0161 925 2012 kerry@vegsoc.org • *NOP World interviewed 1000 adults (15+) 18th-20th March 2005, using a quota sample reflective of GB profiles. •"Our results suggest that pigs can develop quite sophisticated social competitive behaviour, similar to that seen in some primate species," Dr Michael Mendl, Reader in Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Farm Animal Science, Bristol University Press
Officer press@vegsoc.org
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