Don’t pig out on Peppa, says letter to HOTA

PETA wants meat products struck from the menu at HOTA when the venue rolls out the welcome mat for beloved children’s character Peppa Pig.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) group has followed its calls for a meat-free menu at next month’s Gold Coast Logies ceremony with a bid to have meat banned when the live children’s show, Peppa Pig’s Surprise, plays Home of the Arts tomorrow.

In a letter to HOTA CEO Criena Gehrke dated June 4, PETA urged the venue to take animals off its menu for the show and offered to supply vegan ham or sausages as replacements.

“Peppa’s story is that of a little pig with a big personality, but all pigs have personalities,” PETA head of campaigns Mimi Bekhechi says in the letter. “They’re friendly and loyal, and they often outperform dogs in learning tests. They are naturally very clean, live in small family groups and love playing, exploring their surroundings, foraging for food, and building nests for their piglets.”

Ms Bekhechi goes on to list some of the “cruel’’ practices PETA says pigs and piglets are subjected to on factory farms throughout Australia.

“You can bypass this whole ugly business simply by switching to wholesome cruelty-free products, such as Tofurky Smoked Ham Deli Slices or Jumbo Hotdogs,” the letter says.

Recommended for children up to six years of age, the new hour-long live show Peppa’s Surprise plays HOTA tomorrow at midday.

A HOTA spokesman said the venue’s cafe offered a range of fresh food and catered for all food preferences.

“There are many options on the menu for those who choose not to eat meat,” she said.

PETA said Ms Gehrke had yet to respond to the letter.