Burger chain charges meat-eaters extra

A popular German restaurant chain has changed its menu to offer vegetarian and vegan burgers as standard and charge extra for meat. Otto’s Burger announced that customers wanting a traditional beefburger in their Hamburg restaurants would have to pay an extra € 1 (NZ$1.68), citing the impact of the meat industry on climate change. In a post on its Instagram account in which it lamented the ‘‘war in Europe’’ and ‘‘extreme weather changes’’, it said that it could not stand by and do nothing. ‘‘The allimportant question for the ‘Otto’s Burger’ team was therefore: ‘Can we still justify focusing on meat?’ And the answer was: No. Anyone who simply orders a burger is served a pea and wheat-based meat substitute patty. If you order meat, you have to pay an extra euro.’’