Schools meat-free menu a result of Muslim population or eco-vegan ideology
The decision by leaders of a large provincial city to introduce meat-free menus in public schools has provoked a general outcry. Although the country s farm and interior ministers have objected to the move, even the capital is considering to take a similar approach. Speaking about the issue, a renowned essayist pointed out that the presence of the Muslim population or eco-vegan ideology could be two potential factors behind such a choice.
Lyon s Green leadership has decided to remove meat from the school canteens menu, arguing that eliminating meat from students diet is intended to facilitate a more efficient fight against the coronavirus. The move has provoked a series of heated public debates.
„Let s stop putting ideology on our children s plates,” Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandie said, reacting to the decision. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the regulation is not only an „unacceptable insult” to French farmers and butchers, but it is also exclusionary for certain social groups as many children only get to eat meat at the school canteen.
En plus de l insulte inacceptable aux agriculteurs et aux bouchers français, on voit bien que la politique moraliste et élitiste des « Verts » exclut les classes populaires. De nombreux enfants n ont souvent que la cantine pour manger de la viande… Idéologie scandaleuse. https://t.co/gFGf0JWZKn
— Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) February 20, 2021
Renowned French essayist Eric Zemmour has also weighed in on the issue, identifying two potential reasons behind the mayor s decision to introduce a meat-free menu in schools. Muslim residents living in the area could be one reason, he said, while an eco-vegan ideology could be the other, he added, in a clear reference to Lyon s Green leadership.
Eric #Zemmour sur @CNEWS : « Il y a deux raisons qui poussent les maires à faire des menus sans viande : la présence d une population musulmane et l idéologie écolo-vegan » #FAI
— Eric Zemmour (@ZemmourEric) February 22, 2021
The story, however, did not end there. The capital is also considering the option of introducing no-meat menus in schools, Paris Deputy Mayor of Health Anne Souyris told BFMTV.
La polémique sur les repas sans viande est un faux débat:
1️⃣La mesure de @Gregorydoucet avait déjà été prise par @gerardcollomb pour des raisons sanitaires liées au #Covid
2️⃣La loi #EGalim oblige depuis 2019 à proposer chaque semaine 1 menu sans viande à la cantine#stopdémagogie pic.twitter.com/LPiowzm8bu— Anne Souyris (@annesouyris) February 22, 2021
Ms Souyris, who is also a member of the EELV Green Party, called the disagreement over a meat-free diet a false debate, and defended her position by saying that during the first wave of the virus in the spring, Lyon s previous mayor, Gérard Collomb, had made a similar move. She also cited the EGalim food law, which stipulates that meat-free food must be served to students once a week in schools.
Mr Collomb also joined the discourse, stressing that the current city leadership is applying a double standard: on the one hand it promotes meat-free meals, but on the other, it develops local supply chains which also sell meat products. Mr Collomb assured every farmer who staged a protest at Lyon s City Hall against the decision of his full support.
Pein soutien aux agriculteurs qui manifestent devant la mairie de #Lyon. C est avec eux et non contre eux qu on développera les circuits courts. Vive l alliance ville campagne!
— Gérard Collomb (@gerardcollomb) February 22, 2021
After the much-disputed announcement, dozens of angry farmers have descended on Lyon to protest the mayor s decison. Some drove through the city on tractors and agricultural machinery, while others have lined up along the main square at City Hall, creating a farm-like atmosphere.