Veggie day proposal

- Published: 12 June, 2009

Liverpool could become the first UK city to launch a weekly meat-free day in a bid to protect the environment.

Organisations ranging from schools to meals on wheels would voluntarily agree to only serve vegetarian options once a week, under proposals being considered by the council.

The city's primary care trust has backed the plan which, if it wins full council backing, could be launched later this year, when vegetarian recipe ideas and nutrition advice would be given to city schools.

EBLEX nutrition manager Maureen Strong said she was appalled by the proposal. "It sends out a message to Liverpool residents that vulnerable people don't need meat, which is not the case," she said. "Red meat is nutritionally important."

Ghent, Belgium, was Europe's first city to institute a weekly 'Veggie Day' earlier this year.