Inquiry: Respect for religious and philosophical beliefs while eating in care
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The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Vegetarianism and Veganism provides a forum for discussing issues around vegetarianism and veganism. The group is funded by The Vegan Society and Vegetarian for Life. The Vegan Society serves as secretariat.
Next Meeting
Out of the EU, can the UK now lead on more inclusive medicine development and labelling?
Research published in the British Medical Journal found that most (74 out of 100) medications prescribed in UK primary care contain animal-derived products. The lack of requirements for clear labelling of medicines means that those taking them, and healthcare professionals prescribing them, are often unsure about their animal-derived ingredients.
Not only is this a matter of respect and inclusion for people with ethical and religious beliefs, but it is also essential for maintaining trust in medicines and avoiding issues of non-adherence to medical prescriptions. The prevalence of veganism and vegetarianism has continued to increase over the past few years and this issue also impacts many religious groups in the UK, so it has implications for a large, and growing, section of the British public.
In 2017, the VegAPPG sent a letter to then Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, which requested that the Department of Health looks at bringing forward more animal-free alternatives to existing prescription drugs, producing guidance for medical practitioners about consent when using animal-based medicines, and guidance for medicine manufacturers in relation to labelling.
The response we received pointed to the UK’s status as a full member of the EU and the need to avoid setting out unilateral negotiating positions in the area of medicines. Now that negotiations are concluded and the UK has left the EU (including the European Medicines Agency) we’re raising this issue again.
Alongside MPs we’ll be inviting people who have particular interest in this area, those who have been impacted by the issue before, and medical professionals who would like to learn more. If you would like more information about this event, or would like to attend, get in touch at VegAPPG@vegansociety.com
Email us to RSVP for this meetingHow to Get Involved
We very much welcome attendees with an interest in vegetarianism, veganism, or special diets; public health; the environment; and animal welfare. Meetings will usually take the form of presentations by speakers and then a Q&A with the floor. However, parliamentarians do have priority in asking questions.
How the Group Works
We hope that meetings will be attended by a range of parliamentarians and stakeholders. Potential topics for discussion include food and medicine labelling, vegetarianism and veganism as protected beliefs, impact of diet on climate change, and institutional catering provisions. This is not an official website of the House of Commons or the House of Lords. It has not been approved by either House or its committees. All-Party Parliamentary Groups are informal groups of Members of both Houses with a common interest in particular issues. The views expressed in these web pages are those of the group.
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Previous Meetings
Joint letters to George Eustice, Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government, from the officers of the APPG
Documents from the meeting
Is food security an issue for vegetarians and vegans?
Veganism in the workplace
Documents from the meeting
Inquiry: Respect for religious and philosophical beliefs while eating in care
Documents from the meeting
Veggie Vurger, anyone? EU proposal to restrict plant-based descriptions
Documents from the meeting
Eating away at climate change with negative emissions: Repurposing UK agricultural land to meet climate goals
A celebration of the growth of veganism and the vegan market
Joint letter to Minister for Women and Equalities, Penny Mordaunt, from the officers of the APPG
Documents from the meeting
Public procurement: do public authorities have a duty to supply vegan food?
Documents from the meeting
Joint letter to Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Michael Gove, from the officers of the APPG
Documents from the meeting
A celebration of the growth of veganism and the vegan market
Annual General Meeting Jul 2017
Institutional catering provisions for vegetarians and vegans
Documents from the meeting
Joint letter to Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, from the officers of the APPG
Documents from the meeting
Annual General Meeting Jan 2017
What does Brexit mean for vegetarians and vegans?
Documents from the meeting
- Stephen Pugh: the future of guidance for vegetarian and vegan labelling (PowerPoint)
- Stephen Pugh: the future of guidance for vegetarian and vegan labelling (notes)
- Dr Kinesh Patel: labelling of medicines with 'lifestyle choices'
- Jeanette Rowley: veganism as a protected belief (PowerPoint)
- Jeanette Rowley: veganism as a protected belief (notes)