PETA unveils billboard in Bradford urging people to go plant-based after the city is revealed to be the 'worst place in UK to be vegan'

Animal rights charity PETA unveiled the billboard on Rooley Lane this week, showing a picture of a pig with the message: "I want you to change — Go vegan".

It comes after a recent survey ranked the West Yorkshire city as one of the worst places in the country to be vegan, based on the number of food outlets and shops which offer vegan-friendly options and the number of Google searches per month.

The index, compiled by Save On Energy, gave Bradford a score of 19, revealing the city has only 19 restaurants, cafes and takeaways which offer vegan options and only 310 searches online.

PETA, which has previously sparked controversy with its campaigns urging people to ditch animal products such as meat, eggs and dairy from their diets, said it was encouraging the people of Bradford to turn over a new leaf.

“We want the UK’s vegan-unfriendliest city to turn over a new leaf in 2021 and start opting for delicious vegan meals that no animal had to suffer and die for,” said the charity's Senior Campaigns Manager, Kate Werner.

“When it comes to feeling pain, loving their families, and valuing their own lives, a pig is no different from a human being.”

The charity claims going vegan can help to save 200 animals' lives each year and that eating meat creates the risk of disease outbreaks, including being responsible for the Covid-19 pandemic.

There is currently no scientific evidence to certify that the coronavirus pandemic was caused by eating meat. However, Dr Gauden Galea, the World Health Organisation (WHO) representative in China, has previously said as long as people eat meat, there is going to be some risk of infection”, according to the fact check service Full Fact.