Flippant suggestion has served Peta’s purpose

PETA’S suggestion to Leicester City Council that Pork Pie Roundabout be renamed Vegan Pie Roundabout in order to encourage better dietary choices has set social media ablaze.

People around the country are laughing at the request – and at Peta. We’re laughing, too!

With one letter, we’ve got people talking about the benefits of eating vegan – and that’s music to our ears

The name change request is lighthearted, but there is solid science behind it.

Eating vegan is the single biggest change individuals can make to help mitigate the climate catastrophe, as animal agriculture is one of the world’s biggest polluters.

Switching to plant-based meals also helps prevent the next pandemic, as many zoonotic diseases – including Covid-19 – are linked to the intensive farming and mistreatment of animals.

The personal benefits are also huge. A healthy plant-based diet has been shown to prevent – and sometimes even reverse – heart disease and diabetes.

Vibrant vegan foods are also cholesterol-free. Anyone finding the request hard to stomach should consider that one in three adults in parts of Leicester is already dangerously obese, so any action that encourages healthy eating should be welcomed.

So, by all means, have a laugh at this campaign – you can even laugh at us.

But every time you pass a roundabout, remember that eating vegan helps you live longer, spares animals, and protects the planet.

It’s time to stop going around in circles and take action.

Elisa Allen, vice-president

of UK programmes and operations, Peta, London