Belgian city goes veggie

Council officials and elected officials will be served vegetarian meals one day a week and are encouraging the rest of the town and its visitors to follow suit.

Plans to introduce the weekly veggie day into the city’s schools are also under discussion.

Producing meat has a far greater environmental impact than growing the equivalent amount of vegetarian foodstuffs, both in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption.

The town has stated that the meat-free day is part of a package of initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint.

It is thought to be the first town in Europe to take such a step.

Sam Bond