FW: Vegans To Be Protected Under UK Equality Laws?

[Guest guest]

 

 

 

 

 

Vegans To Be Protected Under UK Equality Laws?

 

 

 

Vegans, atheists, teetollars, and Scientologists may soon be given the same protection against discrimination as religious groups, under controversial and confusing new equality laws in the United Kingdom. The Equality Bill, which was masterminded by Labour party deputy leader Harriet Harman, will apparently make it a legal requirement for public authorities, including schools, to consider the impact of all their policies on minority groups.

According to the code, which is currently under consultation, “a belief need not include faith or worship of a god or gods, but must affect how a person lives their life or perceives the world.”

The guidance further explains that “A person who is a vegan chooses not to use or consume animal products of any kind. That person eschews the exploitation of animals for food, clothing, accessories or any other purpose and does so out of an ethical commitment to animal welfare.” Being vegan or vegetarian, as a spokesman for the Equalities and Human Rights Commission explained, is central to who they are.

A spokesman for the Government Equalities Office, however, said that “the government does not think views or opinions based on scientific – or indeed on political – theories” can be considered to be akin to religious beliefs or philosophical beliefs.”

They’re treading through some muddy water there, and how the law will ultimately be interpreted is anyone’s guess. One the one hand, I can’t imagine why vegans wouldn’t be covered under some form of equality legislation, but it saddens me that people who have an “ethical commitment to animal welfare” should even need protection against discrimination of any sort.

While I can’t say I’ve ever felt “discriminated upon,” as a longtime vegan, I would welcome any legislation requiring public authorities to consider how their actions and policies affect vegans. It’s not clear exactly what the outcome of the new equality laws would be, if passed, though.

Would schools, for instance, be required to routinely offer vegan lunch options? Schools that serve mostly meat and cheese are, after all, showing “preferential treatment” to non-vegans. Would school or club activities that harm animals be forbidden? (Mind you, the real question is, “why are they allowed in the first place?)

Perhaps nothing will truly change, whether the new equality covers vegans or not, but the discussion may prompt people to think more about veganism. Whether it will increase tolerance and consideration remains to be seen. Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. Get it now.