Government Urged To Make Vegan Options Mandatory By Law

The Government is facing calls to enforce the provision of at least one vegan food option every day in all public sector institutions in England.

Although veganism is a protected belief under the Equality Act 2010 in England, Scotland and Wales, because many hospitals, schools, universities, councils and prisons fail to offer vegan food, vegans often go hungry.

Now campaigners from The Vegan Society say there is ‘potential for England to become the first country in Europe to enshrine a right to good quality, affordable, plant-based food in law’.

More vegans

The Society is targeting politicians with a petition calling for this legislation to be put in place. If 100,000 people sign it, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

“More people are deciding to live vegan, with the number in the UK doubling twice in four years,” says the petition.

“Plant-based options on every daily menu in Government and public services would protect the rights of vegans and recognize the benefits of plant-based food for our health, the environment and animals.”

Vegans in the UK

“The Government is responsible for ensuring that our public sector provides for vegans in the UK and the proposed legislation would assist in fulfilling that obligation,” Louise Davies, Head of Campaigns, Policy and Research at The Vegan Society said in a statement sent to Plant Based News.

“Provision for vegans in the public sector is lacking, with hospital patients and school children often going hungry.

“We hope that vegans and non-vegans alike will agree on the importance of our petition and join us in urging institutions to provide healthy and environmentally-friendly vegan food.”

You can sign the petition here