International Vegetarian Union (IVU)
	35th World Vegetarian Congress 'Food for all our futures' Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland July 8-14, 2002	Hosted by The Vegetarian Society of the United Kingdom

from the European Vegetarian, issue 3/2002: The Vegetarian Society UK -Press Release - August 2002 Vegetarian Society Chief Executive elected to Chair International Council This year The Vegetarian Society of the United Kingdom, a member society of the International Vegetarian Union (IVU), was pleased to host the Union's 35th World Congress at Edinburgh's Heriott Watt University. The Congress takes place every other year providing a forum for vegetarians from different cultures and an opportunity to highlight the global culture of vegetarianism. The Edinburgh Congress in July brought together over 100 vegetarian societies and 300 participants who share grave concerns regarding the effect of factory farming and meat production on the environment, on human nutrition and health and on animal welfare. The International Council of IVU honoured Vegetarian Society Chief Executive Tina Fox by electing her to chair the Council. Today she spoke about her delight in accepting this role: "It is a great honour to be invited to act as chairperson for the International Council. Vegetarianism is a global movement that crosses many boundaries of race, religion and political inclination. It is so important that we unite to educate people across the world on the issues that relate to this healthy and liberating lifestyle." During the Congress the International Vegetarian Union issued a plea to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), due to meet in Johannesburg in August. The IVU calls on the WSSD to: "take active steps to reduce meat consumption globally. This action is needed in order to reduce the adverse effect of factory farming and meat production on the environment, on human nutrition and health and on animal welfare. "The world's population can then live more healthily on a plant-based diet. scarce global food resources can be fed directly to humans rather than wastefully to farm animals and water, land and air quality would also be enhanced. Vegetarian Society Chief Executive. Tina Fox. commented: "A genuine and balanced examination of these factors can only lead to the conclusion that action to reduce global con-sumption of meat must be seriously considered by the WSSD in their plan for world-wide sustainable development." The Vegetarian Society is the oldest vegetarian organisation in the world. It offers an independent voice able to promote and provide information on vegetarianism. For more information please contact The Vegetarian Society Press Office on 0044 161 925 2012 or press@vegsoc.org, website www.vegsoc.org CONGRATULATIONS TINA! GOOD LUCK!