The Macau Vegetarian Culture Association urged the government yesterday to value and promote vegetarian culture.
The new association, which was set up on July 8, made the appeal in a petition handed to a government representative.
Jerry Lei Fu On, the president of the association’s board of supervisors, told reporters outside Government Headquarters that representatives of the group submitted the petition addressed to Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng yesterday to urge the government to make vegetarian options compulsory in all restaurants and other eateries in Macau.
Lei also said that the group suggested the government reference Western countries and try to get schools to hold a “vegetarian day” per week to promote “vegetarian culture”.
According to Lei, last month the association gathered over 2,000 signatures in support of vegetarian culture in the city in just two to three weeks. Lei added that the association also has 13,000 members in its social media group. Lei said the figures proved that there are “needs” affecting Macau’s vegetarian community, adding that the number of local vegetarians was increasing.
Lei also said that research showed that plant-based food can supply humans with enough nutrients, adding that vegetarian food is safer to consume than other kinds of comestibles.
Lei said that vegetarian culture was gradually becoming a world-wide phenomenon. He urged the government for schools, hospitals and day-care centres that provide food to also offer vegetarian options. He added that by doing so, more restaurants would be willing to learn about vegetarian food too.
Accompanied by fellow members, Macau Vegetarian Culture Association Board of Supervisors President Jerry Lei Fu On (second from left) submits his group’s petition to a government representative in front of Government Headquarters yesterday. Photo Courtesy: TDM
