In a July 23rd memo titled “Greening Headquarters Update” the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) encouraged its employees to participate in “Meatless Mondays” where employees would forgo eating any meat on Mondays.
The USDA’s “Meatless Monday” memo (see page 3) reads like it could have come straight from an animal rights organization’s website. Here are some quotes:
“While a vegetarian diet could have a beneficial impact on a person’s health and the environment, many people are not ready to make that commitment. Because Meatless Monday involves only one day a week, it is a small change that could produce big results.”
“According to the U.N., animal agriculture is a major source of greenhouse gases and climate change. It also wastes resources.”
“In addition there are many health concerns related to the excessive consumption of meat.”
This is scary stuff from the agency that regulates and is supposed to promote our country’s farmers and ranchers.
Yesterday, the USDA has removed the memo from its site. A USDA spokesperson said that the memo had not been approved and the USDA does not endorse the meatless initiative.
The so-called “mistake” by the USDA comes as it is currently proposing new rules to regulate dog owners; rules being pushed by many of the same animal rights organizations that are pushing “Meatless Mondays.”
