lifelines Down with meat Meat Trades Journal reported in December that the latest Government figures show a ‘notable fall’ in fresh meat sales – down by a whopping 7.7 per cent since 2009. This continues a trend that started more than decade ago. A YouGov survey in November confirmed this growing rejection of animal products. It found that a quarter of British people are eating less meat than they did a year ago – and the main reason is animal welfare. A further one-in-three people said they were willing to consider eating less meat in the future. The fastest to change are young people, with 17 per cent claiming not to eat meat at all. These are staggering results which show that the messages we pump out continually are succeeding. It perhaps also explains why Veganuary was so successful (see p 14) and why our just-launched 30 Day Vegan n Once more to VEGETARIAN (see p 15) is SHOES of Brighton for £702 already looking a from the sale of their trail boot. hit. We’re getting there, folks!
OUR SINCERE THANKS
Invincible Dale becomes patron We’ve written about him in the past and displayed our banners at his Forest Green Rovers football ground in Stroud. We are now proud to report that Dale Vince, the boss of green energy company Ecotricity, has become a patron of Viva!. Making the announcement, Dale said: “I’ve always been a big fan of the work Viva! does and I was honoured when asked to become a patron. “Factory farming is brutal; it’s an inexcusable, truly abhorrent abuse of animals. Worse still, it’s unnecessary. Meat eating is bad for people and the planet – not just the animals we subject to this inhuman abuse. That’s why I support Viva! and am proud to be a patron.” You can have green energy in your home simply by signing up Ecotricity as your supplier of gas and electricity – and earn Viva! up to £75 for doing so (see page 2). Go to www.ecotricity.co.uk/viva or ring 08000 302 302 and quote Viva! (Which? top energy company for satisfaction).
Beauty and the Beast n We are delighted to say that the auctioned badger painting donated by HEATHER NELSON was bought by NIGEL TOLLEY for £350. Thank you Nigel and Heather (www.viva.org.uk/ artforanimals).
n THE VEGAN CAKERY have donated £110 to Viva! for being their charity of the month in January. www.vegancakery.com
There have never been so many celebrities shouting loudly about their decision to become vegan. Rosanna Davison (28), Irish model and Miss World 2013, is one of them. Vegetarian for 10 years, she became vegan as a result of her studies in nutrition and biochemistry: “The benefits to my health and well-being have been extraordinary,” she says, “and I continue to be amazed by the results.” Coming from the other end of the spectrum is ‘hardman’ hip hop artist, IFEEL. His music explores the relationship between animals and humans and yet it all started with children. “I witnessed the severity of emotional pain and suffering of abused children when I was working with them. Abused animals are much like abused children – they hurt, they suffer, they cry. They show their teeth when they are forced into a corner and pushed beyond their limits. They deserve freedom, dignity and love as much as anyone else on this planet!” Phew, I wish I liked hip hop. www.viva.org.uk 5