Blue Peter’s Green Badge campaign - Union stands up for children and farmers

The FUW was once again frustrated with the BBC’s stance on excluding red meat as part of a healthy balanced diet and especially angered that this time it was aimed at children as part of the Blue Peter Green Badge campaign. Wasting no time, we addressed the issue by writing to Blue Peter editor Ellen Evans and BBC Director General Tim Davie.

In his letter, FUW President Glyn Roberts said:

“Iconic programmes like Blue Peter have been watched by children all over the country with great enthusiasm and there is no doubt that it has great influence on their behaviour and opinions, with many children aiming to receive one of the coveted badges. That makes this latest campaign even more concerning, in that you (the BBC) are actively encouraging our children to eliminate red meat from their diet and insinuating that red meat production is bad for the environment.

“As a public service broadcaster, the BBC has a responsibility to provide an impartial argument. This is all the more important when communicating to children and the information on your website and in this campaign does not fulfil that responsibility.”

In her response, Ellen Evans stated that Blue Peter had changed its ’go meat-free’ messaging, but concerns remain that the program is still encouraging children to choose a ’supersized pledge’ that promotes cutting meat.

More details can be found here.