Viva! 8 York Court Wilder Street Bristol BS2 8QH Tel: 0117 944 1000 Fax: 0117 924 4646 email: media@viva.org.uk	23 May 2000 Public Right to Worry About ‘Food Crimes’ Viva! today gave its full support to the Co-operative Wholesale Society’s staggering report on people’s fears over the quality of British food. Its ‘Seven Food Crimes’ reveal a deep public concern about almost every aspect of the food they eat. The vegetarian charity Viva! issued congratulations to the Co-op and accused the Government of cowardice. Viva!’s founder & director, Juliet Gellatley, said: “The British public are absolutely right to be concerned about their food because their fears are supported by scientific research. They are streets ahead of the Government in their thinking and rather than responding to this, the Labour Government has continued where the Tories left off - supporting industries which are abusing animals, damaging our health, impoverishing the developing world and destroying the global environment. “We have recently witnessed the deification of the pig industry, whose output is almost all factory farmed in cruel conditions. It’s irresponsible use of antibiotics has led to the growth of killer superbugs. The Governments response? A £4.6 million advertising campaign encouraging people to eat more pork! When did you last see it spend that kind of money on promoting fruit and veg? All the world’s health bodies are urging a move towards a plant-based diet; the Government is doing the opposite. It has caved in to the groups with the loudest voices - tobacco, hunting, dairy and meat. They must now start putting people and animals first. The Government obviously doesn’t want people to know the truth about the food they eat - but we do.” Viva! produces a range of guides and information on all the areas of modern food production, including health and nutrition, the global environment, conditions in which animals are farmed, food poisoning and super bugs, the rape of the developing world and genetic engineering. It also offers help and support in changing their diet for those who want to act on these worrying concerns. For further information contact Juliet Gellatley or Tony Wardle on 0117 944 1000.