from Vegetarian Times, no.12

Vegetarianism Around The World

Represenatives from most parts of the world, gave a country-by-country report on vegetarism.

A sampling of reports from International Vegetarian Union (IVU) affiliates follows:

AUSTRIA: Increasing interest among all ages; a youth group "Austrian Reform Youths" is actively involved in organic gardening, yoga, as well as vegetarianism.

S. AUSTRALIA: Organized veg-etarianism is 25 yrs. old and many people do not want to belong to a V. society, but there is interest in the movement. Progress is slow.

HOLLAND: Dutch V. soc. foun-ded in 1894, celebrated 80th anniversary last year, with good press coverage; published a book - "Simple Vegetarian Kitchen"; succeeded in convincing the Dutch govt. to allow synthetic rennett (nurrie) in domestic cheese, which had been banned. There are increasing #'s of health food stores and vegie restau-rants; vegie food available in hospitals & prisons. There are an estimated 12,000 vegie people in Holland.

SWITZERLAND: Very active; community dinners are very popular. Center for Research and Community Action serves veg dinners once a week and operates an organic food outlet. The Veg. Soc. is ac-tively involved in selling 3rd World food exports. Swiss Air serves veg food on request.

SWEDEN: Publishes a periodical, circ = 4,000. Sends veg. recipes to influential chefs and youth newspapers.

S. AFRICA: Publishes a jour-nal, circ = 1,000. Has 3 regional offices in Johannesburg, Capetown, & Durban. Has veg. contacts in Ghana, Nigeria, Rhodesia, Liberia.

UNITED KINGDOM: Very active. Publishes many books, a comprehensive booklet on foods has sold out. "The Vegetarian" newspaper circ = 55,000/mo. Founded a research center in 1974 to study vegie vs. animal protein sources.

ISRAEL: Progress in spite of national problems. A veg. village was founded 16 yrs ago. There are 7 branches of the Israel Veg. Soc., they conduct symposiums & lectures. Monthly mag, circ 1,500.

ITALY: Veg. conf to be held in Florence in Sept, 1975. Small organized membership in 15 cities, due to "closed" membership in society, which is now open to the public - poor beginning, better future.

N. IRELAND: Increasing interest, despite civil disturbance. A new veg center and yoga institute has opened in Ulster.

PORTUGAL: The press has beer. repressive, but they have been struggling to increase interest in veg. anyway.

NEW ZEALAND: There is a huge meat business to contend with. There is some interest, but "we need vegetarian missionaries" - Dr. St. Barbs Baker, Lake Tekapoe, Mt. Cook Station, New Zealand. They publish a veg. journal.

TURKEY: "Most Turkish people eat a vegetarian diet, without even having a concept of vegetarism . . . very little meat is found in homes or restaurants . . .but there is no vegie movement . . . none is necessary."

INDIA: Vegetarianism is wide-spread, but many young people are adopting a "Western" diet. Biggest problem to to counter act this and to Co-ordinate the many widespread vegetarian activities & societies that now exist.1977 W.V.C. will be in India. The Bombay Humanitarian League has succeeded in stopping animal sacrifices in 5 states.