written/translated by: Georgia Blackwell

Press Releases from the EVU

European Vegetarian Union – Vegetarier-Bund Deutschlands – Swiss Union for Vegetarianism

Remarks regarding the International Green Week, Berlin
Exhibition for the Food Industry, Agriculture and Horticulture
17-26 January 2003


More Emphasis on Plant-based Food


The Council and the member organisations of the European Vegetarian Union would like to use the "Green Week" as an opportunity to honour those who in the past have provided high quality food and who also in the future are going to see to it that no shortages will occur. We know that the work in the farming sector is an arduous one and want to thank all those who accept this lifestyle, which often brings about certain limitations to their private life.

Whilst the European vegetarian movement welcomes the rich offer in plant foods, there is concern at the same time that too much emphasis is given to animal-products; the recent dramatic problems connected to the production and the consumption of meat are only too well known. However, even without the grave issue of animal diseases it is to be stressed that a series of comprehensive studies have confirmed a connection between meat-consumption and certain health problems. In the draft of the Joint WHO/FAO expert consultation on diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases (2003), a warning against putting too much significance on animal products has also been mentioned. It is stated that in Western countries dietary habits are responsible for a staggering 30% of cancer cases and that therefore greater importance should be attached to the consumption of fruit and vegetables.

So apart from the definite positive consequences to human health, a vegetarian lifestyle also implies
– reduced work load for those farmers producing plant foods
– more solidarity with the victims of famines
– more consideration for animals
– more sustainability
– a more caring approach towards the environment
– sharply reduced pollution levels
– the recovery of our oceans
– the preservation of the biodiversity on our planet.

The growing number of vegetarians everywhere in the world shows that more and more people realise the consequences of meat eating and are adapting their own lifestyle. It is the aim of the European Vegetarian Union to act for all those who either have already adopted this healthy and compassionate way of life, or for those who want to find out more about it.

We wish the Green Week 2003 a lot of success.


Herma Caelen
Hon. Secretary General European Vegetarian Union
e-Mail
Website http://www.european-vegetarian.org

Thomas Schönberger
President Vegetarier-Bund Deutschlands e.V.
Blumenstr. 3, D 30159 Hannover
E-Mail: info@vegetarierbund.de
Website www.vegetarierbund.de

Renato Pichler
President Schweizerische Vereinigung für Vegetarismus
Bahnhofstr. 52, CH 9315 Neukirch-Egnach
E-Mail svv@vegetarismus.ch
Website www.vegetarismus.ch