“Climate change is a really important issue and we all have to do our bit,” he says in the interview. “Meat production contributes more to global climate change than transport. So changing the way we eat is a good place to start.”
The MFM founder explains how he’d like 2010 to be the year meat-free menus appear in workplaces, schools, universities, hotels and restaurants. He goes on to suggest that the MFM logo could become a guide to sustainable choices in hotels and restaurants.
With interest growing in the Meat Free Monday campaign, Paul also points out that vegetarian cuisine needs to show what it can do, not only to counter certain false impressions, but to capitalise on the increasing numbers of people doing their bit for the environment and animal welfare by eating less meat.
“When you are eating out, very often the only vegetarian choices are pasta and salad. It’s no wonder some people think vegetarian food is a bit bland. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel all over the world and I know that there is exciting vegetarian food in every culture. If more people are going to really embrace the idea of regularly choosing vegetarian options, the food on offer has to reflect this variety.”