A politician has slammed French schools for ditching meat.
Schools in Lyon offering a meat-free menu to fight against COVID-19. However, schools are still serving fish, eggs, and dairy.
The decision has been supported by Mayor Gregory Doucet. He says the streamlined menu will help social distancing protocols in cafeterias.
An ‘insult’ to butchers
But, Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandie slammed the incentive on Twitter.
“Let’s stop putting ideology on our children’s plates,” he wrote. “Let’s just give them what they need to grow well. Meat is part of it.”
Moreover, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin described the move as an ‘unacceptable insult’ to French butchers and farmers – France24 reports.
Meat-free schools
In the UK, the government has received pressure to remove meat from school meals to offer more sustainable and healthy options.
A number of organizations and individuals – including PETA, Greenpeace UK, and Meat Free Monday (founded by Paul, Mary, and Stella McCartney) – have joined forces to write to the secretary of state for education.
According to PETA, the letter notes that ‘the current animal-derived food mandates limit schools’ capacity to serve children climate-friendly vegan foods and are out of step with the government’s own nutritional advice to the public – the Eatwell Guide – which allows for nutritional needs to be met without meat and dairy’.
Moreover, A 2019 poll by food brand Linda McCartney Foods revealed that 70 percent of British children want more vegan meals on their school menus.
In a statement sent to PBN, Paul, Mary, and Stella McCartney said: “No one needs to eat meat. So, it shouldn’t be mandatory to serve it in schools. It’s time to revise the School Food Standards to help the planet, spare animals, and promote healthy eating.”
