PETA India Urges Centre to Ban Meat Advertisements Nationwide from October 2
New Delhi, Sept 29 (TNT): People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India on Tuesday urged Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to impose a nationwide ban on meat advertisements across billboards, television, online platforms and other media from October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti.
In a letter to the Union minister, PETA India said the proposed prohibition would honour Mahatma Gandhi’s commitment to ahimsa (non-violence) while addressing concerns relating to animal welfare, human health and the environment.
The appeal comes amid concerns over the environmental impact of meat production and follows restrictions on meat advertising introduced in several European cities, including Amsterdam, Haarlem, Utrecht and Nijmegen.
PETA India Senior Manager of Vegan and Corporate Projects Dr Kiran Ahuja said meat advertisements promoted products associated with animal suffering and called for the promotion of India’s traditional meat-free food practices.
The organisation cited its investigations into the treatment of animals during slaughter and transportation.
It also highlighted concerns over antimicrobial resistance linked to the use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals, diet-related diseases and the potential public-health risks associated with bird flu outbreaks in poultry farms and markets.
PETA India further said India had a long-standing tradition of meat-free eating rooted in ahimsa and urged the government to encourage compassionate and sustainable food choices.
The proposed ban is an appeal by PETA India; the release did not indicate that the government had announced any decision on the demand.
TNT KS
