21 leading NGOs join forces to #StopAm171 censorship, writes ProVeg Vice President
This week 21 NGOs called on the European Commission and the European Council to stop plant-based dairy censorship (by preventing amendment 171, passed by the European Parliament in October 2020, from being implemented in Member States). Coming from environmental organisations as diverse as Greenpeace, WWF, and Foodwatch, as well as consumer organisations and animal-welfare groups, including World Animal Protection, the message is clear: protect our planet, its animals, and our health. The NGO letter comes after a letter of the European Alliance for Plant-Based Foods demanded a halt on amendment 171, supported by 94 leading food manufacturers, including Unilever and Upfield.
It’s incredible to see how many voices are uniting after ProVeg International kicked off the ‘veggie burger ban’ campaign in 2019, and now with the plant-based dairy censorship campaign in 2021. Where plant-based food wasn’t a ‘real’ environmental or animal welfare issue for most policymakers just a couple of years ago, it is now – thanks to you. It wouldn’t be possible to unite organisations and the food industry without so many of you vocalizing that you wish to see urgent change, that you want to make sustainable and animal-friendly food choices, and that you demand change to EU policies.
The plant-based policy landscape is a blurry one, especially from a consumer perspective since many of the most far-reaching decisions are made behind closed doors. But no longer. Through petitioning, creating opinion articles and videos, starting a constructive dialogue with the food industry, and engaging influencers, we are shedding light on what’s really at stake. With your help, we have managed to stop the veggie burger ban which would have been detrimental to many meat-alternative products. And, together we will influence the plant-based dairy-censorship regulations.
Remember that many of the vegan foods you’re currently enjoying were once born in someone’s imagination, probably less than ten years ago! Industry pushbacks like the plant-based dairy censorship legislation can actually help to imagine a different, better kind of world. A world in which good food is produced with consideration for the planet and human and non-human animal interests. It makes sense to use such opposition as opportunities to talk about things in a constructive way. And if you haven’t done so already, sign the plant-based dairy censorship petition and tell your friends, family, and coworkers about it. You never know who you might influence - if 2020 has shown us one thing, it’s that plant-based food is here to stay. Thank you for all your actions and support!
Jasmijn de Boo
Vice President of ProVeg International
Jasmijn de Boo, MSc, DipEd, MRSB has worked internationally in the field of animal protection, education and veganism since 1999. She founded and led the UK political party ‘Animals Count’ from 2006 to 2010 (rebranded ‘Animal Welfare Party’, led by Vanessa Hudson). Jasmijn was the CEO of The Vegan Society from 2011 to 2016; and CEO of Save Animals from Exploitation (SAFE) in NZ for one and a half year. Jasmijn joined ProVeg International’s Executive Team as International Director in April 2018 and became Vice President, ProVeg International in May 2020. She supports the ProVeg offices in South Africa, Spain, UK, Netherlands, Poland, Germany and US, and the China programme, and she oversees the expansion to India, and Belgium, as well as the international Communications team and Grants programme. Jasmijn turned vegetarian aged 12 after witnessing terrified pigs transported in a truck on their way to the slaughterhouse, and she became vegan in January 2003 after meeting Andrew Knight (now husband). Jasmijn and Andrew enjoy hiking, running and dancing to stay fit and to get away from their desks.
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