Context:

The EU is currently considering introducing a ban on companies in Europe from using terms like ‘meat’, ‘steak’, ‘burger’, ‘sausage’, et cetera in plant based food labels. The proposal would also restrict the use of meat related terms for future cultivated meat products yet to enter the market.

Similar measures had previously been debated in 2020, but these were ultimately voted against due to widespread negative attention in the international press.

There is a possibility that the ban going ahead could materially alter the consumption patterns of European citizens away from plant based foods and towards intensively reared meat, based on the perception that the latter is more ‘natural’. Given the population of the EU (450 million) even a small percentage changes in consumption habits could lock-in suffering for billions of animals.

Opportunity for impact:

Please consider signing the following open-letter opposing the proposed ban: 

For organisations: https://www.noconfusion.org/ 

For individuals: https://weplanet.yourmovement.org/p/noconfusion-petition 

The open letter has already gained public support from high-impact animal welfare charities, such as the Good Food Institute. If you are in a position to do so, I would recommend circulating these open letters with sympathetic minded people as far as possible.