Sir Paul McCartney performs on stage on November 30, 2011, at the Bercy Palais-Omnisport (POPB) in Paris.PATRICK KOVARIK
Sir Paul McCartney has come out in support of French vegetarians.
In a statement issued by the French Vegetarian Association, the former Beatle expressed his disapproval of a regulation controlling food served in school canteens. The release says the regulation "legally obliges [students]to consume products of animal origin."
The statement quotes Sir Paul saying: "The French Government's recent decree effectively enforcing the consumption of animal products in public institutions is a backward step for France. It goes against the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union by prohibiting individuals' right to express their beliefs.
"No one needs to eat animals – and we can combat climate change and lessen the risk of suffering from heart disease and other ailments by reducing the amount of meat we eat."
Sir Paul is a well-known vegetarian and animal-rights activist who once campaigned against Canada's annual seal hunt.