Animal Aid : Press Release

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VEGGIE MONTH MARCH 1999

VEGGIE FOOD FROM THE STARS
VEGGIE HELPLINE THROUGHOUT MARCH 1999 ON 01732 354032

Animal Aid is encouraging meat-eaters to have a 'trial' meat-free month this March - by trying out the favourite vegetarian food of celebrities including Sir Paul McCartney, Victoria Wood and Spike Milligan. The veggie superstars have donated recipes in support of Veggie Month - Animal Aid's annual initiative to promote vegetarianism in the UK.

The celebrity dishes are featured in a new colour booklet, available free of charge to members of the public during March. Other recipe contributors include Tony Benn MP, Dannii, Virginia McKenna, Eric Richard and Michaela Strachan. The booklet, entitled 'Recipe for Life: Veggie Food from the Stars', also contains concise information about the nutritional, animal welfare and environmental benefits of vegetarianism.

By phoning the special Veggie Month helpline, callers will receive nutritional advice and support on all aspects of becoming a vegetarian.

Said Animal Aid director Andrew Tyler,

'The veggie diet makes sense from every possible angle. Not only does it save animal lives and help the environment, it is also healthy, affordable and delicious. Animal Aid's new booklet provides a fantastic introduction to vegetarian cooking - from Sir Paul's 'Crispy Vegetable Wontons' to Tony Benn's third world-friendly cup of tea.'

Hundreds of health centres, schools and libraries across the country are supporting Veggie Month, and Animal Aid is also offering free resources to health workers throughout March.

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Notes to Editors

More information from Andrew Tyler, Becky Smith on 01732 364546 or Mark Gold on 01404 831763. After hours 0421 326329.

Copies of 'Recipe for Life:Veggie Food from the Stars' and photographs of celebrity recipe contributors are available. Contact Animal Aid for details.

Veggie Month helpline: 01732 354032. The helpline runs throughout March. Calls are charged at standard rates.

Members of the public can also send an SAE to Animal Aid for their free vegetarian information pack including the new celebrity recipe booklet (or email postal address to vegmonth@animalaid.org.uk).

The Veggie Month initiative was launched by Animal Aid in 1990, with the aim of converting 10% of the UK population to vegetarianism by the year 2000 - thereby saving roughly 85 million animals from slaughter each year. According to the 1997 Realeat Survey, 5000 people are now turning veggie every week, and a 1998 NOP poll shows that 7% of the population are currently vegetarian - an increase of 20% since 1995. More than 14.3% no longer eat red meat, rising to over 25% amongst women.

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