Quarter of us turning our backs on meat

ONE in four of us are cutting back on meat as young people lead a dramatic shift in diets.

The ‘meat and two veg’ dinner is losing popularity as Britons turn to a ‘flexitarian’ diet.

Some 28 per cent say they have eaten less meat over the last six months, according to a study by retail analysts Mintel.

Another 14 per cent say they are interested in reducing their consumption of meat.

Links between red meat and cancer, and concerns about animal welfare and the environment are driving the trend.

The survey also found 39 per cent of meat reducers say campaigns such as Meat Free Monday, National Vegetarian Week and Veganuary have been influential.

As many as one in five under-25s say they do not eat meat, rising to one in four women in the same age group. These ratios are double the proportion seen in the rest of the population, but indicate the trend is likely to gather pace.

Just over half of vegetarians say animal welfare is the main reason for their diet. However, the main reason for under-25s is the environment at 29 per cent, versus 22 per cent for animal welfare.

The greenhouse gases created by farm animals are a key contributor to global warming.

Senior food analyst at Mintel, Emma Clifford, said: ‘Despite the ingrained popularity of meat and poultry, a clear trend has emerged of people cutting back.’ She said this has led to a ‘flexitarian’ diet, which is ‘very accessible’ as it doesn’t cut out meat altogether.