September22, 20205 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Frozen foodholdsan interesting position in modern food history. Flash freezing has been hailed as a technological marvel that made nutritious vegetables accessible to urban and suburban Americans virtually anywhere, at any time of year. But TV dinners have also been pinned as a symbol of the domination of processed foods over the American diet a move away from natural, wholesome foods from the earth and instead toward laboratory-made sugar and salt bombs that are shortening our lifespans.

Like with any complicated subject, the conclusion to be drawn isnt as simple as frozen food is good or frozen food is bad. Its true that flash-frozen fruits and vegetables were and continue to be a helpful innovation that allowspeople to get vitamin and nutrient-dense foods into their diets. Its also true that some frozen food brands sell meals that are incredibly high in calories, sugar, and cholesterol, with very few necessary vitamins and minerals to balance it out.

Related:The Best Way to Brand Your Plant-Based Business

But people today are busy, and with the continuing effects of the global health crisis on supply chains, access to fresh food is challenging in a way many of us have never experienced before. The frozen food market, globally, was valued at $291.3 billion in 2019, and was expected to continue growing even before the pandemic. Frozen, ready-to-eat meals make up a significant portion of that figure. The time-saving, long-lasting, satisfying and potentially nutritious properties of frozen foods are just too tempting to pass up right now.

Fortunately, there are lots of producers branching out beyond trays of chicken nuggets and mashed potatoes, to offer more diverse flavors and healthier options in the frozen food aisle.

Amys Kitchen, the well-established vegetarian food brand, has been on this beat for some time. They have a hefty array of frozen, prepared foods, including veggie burger patties, pizzas, and microwaveable breakfast burritos. Lots of their products are vegan, as well as organic and non-GMO, making them great snacks or no-effort dinners for busy people looking for healthier options in a pinch. And some popular plant-based brands didnt start off in the frozen food aisle but have since expanded there. Daiya, best known for their vegan cheese shreds and slices, now sells ready-to-cook pizzas and microwavable burritos.

Kashi, the health food brand you might know better for their cereals and granolas, also offers a line of frozen prepared meals all of which are vegan and non-GMO, and come in globally-inspired recipes like chimichurri quinoa bowls and mayan harvest bake.

Related: Make the Most of Your Frozen Fruit and Vegetable Supply With a Nutribullet

Even brands that do sell meat and other animal products seem to be making a concentrated effort to keep up with consumers growing interest in plant-based eating by offering clearly labeled, vegan-friendly meals. Frontera, which sells a variety of Mexican-inspired snacks and meal starters, has a full line of frozen meals and skillet kits in traditional, meaty varieties, but also plant-based ones that center beans and veggies, like their threebean taco bowl that includes lively ingredients like plantains, chard, fire-roasted peppers, and kale. Similarly, Saffron Road is a brand that sells snacks, meals, and accouterments mostly inspired by Indian cuisine. Their frozen selection, like Frontera, includes meat-centric options as well as totally vegan ones, like their pre-made vegetable biryani.

Frozen prepared meals offer the convenience of TV dinners to consumers with special dietary needs and interests, like vegetarianism or veganism, and in many cases offer gluten-free, soy-free, or otherwise allergen-free options as well. But well-established, as well as up-and-coming plant-based food brands, also offer sides and dinner helpers, in addition to full, TV dinner-style meals.

Since, as research shows, much of the frozen food market is still dominated by meat, it only makes sense that plant-based companies in the freezer aisle would offer mains and sides to help complete a vegan dinner, too. When you have time to do a little cooking, but going from scratch just isnt going to happen, plant-based and environmentally conscious consumers can throw on something like frozen cauliflower wings or spinach bites to have on the table quickly.

One such brand offering meal accouterments would be Strong Roots, offering delectablecauliflower hash browns. Their line of sides/snacks and burger patties are very veggie-centric and made from unique ingredient combinations, like their beetroot and bean burger or broccoli and purple carrot bites. With their simple, easily-pronounceable ingredient lists, theyre proving that not all frozen food is laden with heaps of salt, sugar, and mystery ingredients.

Related:'One Email From Whole Foods Launched My Entire Business,' Says the Co-Founder of a Gluten Free Frozen Food Brand

Similarly, RollinGreens offers slightly elevated, healthier alternatives to kid favorites like tater tots and wings. Instead of potato, their tots are made of millet, vegetables, and spices, making for a snack or side that boasts a simple ingredient list and low glycemic index. The simplicity factor goes for their cauliflower wings as well, which come in teriyaki, sweet mustard, and spicy green buffalo varieties.

Plant-based startups and old standbys alike are putting options onto the fast-growing frozen food market that are changing the character of the category. No longer is frozen food confined to its reputation as a convenient but overall unhealthy and unnatural product. Shelves are now stocked with meals, sides, and snacks that balance the health and environmental concerns of modern consumers with their busy schedules and need for quick, easy options. At a time when were all overworked and stressed, a quick and wholesome dinner might be exactly what we need.

Read the original here:
Plant-Based in a Pinch: The Frozen Food Aisle Is Turning Vegan, Organic, and Nutritious - Entrepreneur

In Canada, half of residents are opposed to keeping animals in zoos or aquariums, while 39% are in favour of this custom

Late last year, Research Co. and Glacier Media took an initial look at the relationship between Canadians and animals.

At the time, the countrys residents appeared to express outright dismay at practices like trophy hunting and killing animals for their fur, but sizable majorities had no problems with eating animals or hunting them for meat.

In 2020, we wanted to once again review the feelings of Canadians but adding the perspectives of our southern neighbours. The two-country survey shows that the views of Canadians and Americans are common on some crucial topics, even if the prevalence of certain attitudes related to animals is not as significant in some parts of the United States.

Across the two countries, about three in four residents (76 per centin Canada and 75 per centin the United States) are in favour of eating animals. Opposition to this custom is highest among women (24 per centin each country) and residents aged 18 to 34 (27 per centin Canada and 25 per centin the U.S.). Quebec (23 per cent) and the Northeast (26 per cent) are the North American regions with the largest appetite for vegetarianism or veganism.

The numbers are also consistent when it comes to hunting animals for meat, with 65 per centof Canadians and 67 per centof Americans having no qualms about this practice. In both countries, men are more likely to endorse hunting animals for meat than women.

One of the biggest differences between Canadians and Americans is observed in their opinions on zoos and aquariums. The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected the activities of these venues, some of which are bringing in fewer visitors in an attempt to abide by social distancing guidelines. Others have temporarily closed their doors.

In Canada, half of residents (51 per cent) are opposed to keeping animals in zoos or aquariums, while 39% are in favour of this custom. Support varies across the country, from a low of 35 per centin Ontario to a high of 46 per centin Alberta. Almost half of Canadian men (47 per cent) do not have a problem with animals in captivity, compared to just one third of women (33 per cent).

There are some sizable differences on political allegiance, with support for keeping animals in zoos or aquariums climbing from 35 per centamong Liberal Party voters in the 2019 federal election, to 40 per centamong New Democratic Party (NDP) supporters, to 50 per cent for Conservative Party voters.

The findings change in the United States, where there are no major regional fluctuations. Almost two-thirds of Americans (64 per cent) are in favour of keeping animals in zoos or aquariums, and just over three in 10 (31 per cent) are opposed.

The issue of using animals in rodeos is decidedly more contentious in the United States. Americans are evenly divided on this practice, with 46 per centsaying they are in favour of it and 46% opposing it. The gender gap is large, with 58 per centof men supporting the use of animals in rodeos compared to only 34 per centof women. Republican Party sympathizers are also significantly more likely to be in favour of rodeos (65 per cent) than Independents (37 per cent) and Democrats (36 per cent).

In Canada, as was the case last year, opponents of the use of animals in rodeos outnumber enthusiasts by a two-to-one margin (62to 32 per cent). In Alberta, 49% of residents are in favour of using animals in rodeos. Support is significantly lower in British Columbia (33 per cent), Quebec (27 per cent) and Ontario (25 per cent).

Two other customs are unquestionably less popular in North America. Only 25 per centof Americans and 19 per centof Canadians are in favour of killing animals for their fur. Aversion to the practice is highest among women (85 per centin the United States and 83 per centin Canada).

On the issue of hunting animals for sport, positive perceptions in Canada have fallen to single digits, with just eight per centof Canadians favouring this practice. Support for trophy hunting plummets to just five per centamong Canadians aged 55 and over.

In the United States, 25 per centof Americans are in favour of hunting animals for sport. The expected gender gap persists (39 per centamong men, 11 per centamong women). Also, while only 16 per centof Democrats favour trophy hunting, support climbs to 44 per centamong Republicans.

There are several disparities in the way Canadians and Americans relate to animals. On the convoluted issue of entertainment, the views of Canadians have evolved at a faster pace. Both countries hold roughly the same opinions on food and are developing a greater disgust for the use of animals as garments and trophies.

Mario Canseco is president of Research Co.

Results are based on online studies conducted from September 4 to September 6, 2020, among representative samples of 1,000 adults in Canada and 1,200 adults in the United States. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian and U.S. census figures for age, gender and region in each country. The margin of error, which measures sample variability, is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points for Canada and plus or minus 2.8 percentage points for the United States.

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Canadians, Americans divided on issue of zoos and aquariums: poll - Pique Newsmagazine

This is not the first time a war over eggs has broken out in the state. In 2015 too, the Chouhan-led government had asked officials to do away with eggs in mid-day meals in anganwadisadecision the short-lived Congress government under chief minister Kamal Nath had proposed to overturn last year. The then leader of the opposition, Gopal Bhargava, had suggested that this serving of eggs would turn children into cannibals" and was not in sync with our culture", which prohibits non-vegetarianism.

This "vegetarian versus non-vegetarian" debate continues to rear its head over and over again. But it is important to understand why activists are making a case for eggs in mid-day meals children. A 2015 report on theNational Public Radio(NPR) quoted food rights activist Sachin Jain as saying that eggs were an easy way to provide much needed protein and fat to malnourished children. They are easy to procure locally, and storage and transportation arent a problem," he had said.

For a state with the highest stunting rate, of 42%, according to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4), a state where a Unicef report says 2.7 million children under age 5 are wasted, this could perhaps have been a significant intervention. Hunger and malnutritioncan adversely affect students performance by lowering their cognitive ability during school hours," says Farzana Afridi, associate professor, economics and planning unit, at the Indian Statistical Institute, Delhi.

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In 2005, she analysed the findings of a survey of the mid-day meal programme in Madhya Pradesh. She has also been studying the efficacy of child welfare programmes and child nutrition in India. In an interview withMint,Afridi talks about the role school meals can play in childrens overall health. Edited excerpts:

Your thoughts on the Madhya Pradesh governments decision to replace eggs with milk in mid-day meals at anganwadis.

My previous work on the nutritional impact of school meals in the Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh shows that there is a significant role that school meals can play in meeting the nutritional requirements of children. Since protein deficiency is significant in our children, it is important to ensure that school meals fill that gap by giving wholesome meals that provide proteins, iron and other micronutrients, besides carbohydrates.

There have been news reports that some anganwadisin the country are not able to provide even the most basic meals. What should the mid-day meal programme be focusing on?

Ensuring that children receive their daily nutritional requirements should be the main objective of school meals. Even with social distancing, this goal can be achieved because the cook lives in the community and the foodgrains are stored locally. The public distribution system has continued to function reasonably well through the lockdown period and beyond. Millions of children depend on these meals for their daily food requirements.

What did your surveys suggest about the implementation and nutritive content of the mid-day meal programme across states?

Utilizing the data that I collected in Madhya Pradesh in 2003-04, I examined the extent to which children benefit from the targeted public transfer. Relying upon built-in randomness in whether a childs 24-hour food consumption recall was for a school or a non-school day, I found that the daily nutrient intake of programme participants increased substantially by 49% to 100% during the transfers.The findings suggest that for as low a cost as 3 cents per child per school day, the scheme reduced the daily protein deficiency of a primary school student by 100%, the calorie deficiency by almost 30% and the daily iron deficiency by nearly 10%. At least in the short run, therefore, the programme had a substantial effect on reducing hunger at school and in proteinenergy malnutrition.

The southern states, such as Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, have implemented the programme better in the sense of ensuring the meals are wholesome and regular. In a 2005 article in theEconomic And Political Weekly,I compared the programmes of Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka and suggested some changes in policy, which are still relevant.Comparison of the new suruchi bhojan with the old daliya programme in the government primary schools in the survey area, and observations on programme implementation in Karnataka, suggested a pressing need to overhaul the administrative and financial organization of the scheme in order to increase its effectiveness. Urgent improvements in the nutritive content of meals and related infrastructure require earmarked funds and a transparent and representative agency for effectively implementing and monitoring the scheme at the grass-roots level.

States like Jharkhand, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh have a high tribal population, which has a non-vegetarian diet. How important is it for the mid-day meal programme to take the sociocultural background of the children into account while devising the meal plan?

While designing the menu, the local eating habits of the population should be taken into account. But at the same time school meals should ensure that these meals diversify the diet of children such that the deficiency in their diets is reduced. For instance, rural populations tend to have a carb-heavy diet with lower consumption ofdaland iron-rich food. School meals should be designed such that these deficiencies are lowered for the children by supplementing the local diet.

You conducted a novel school-based experiment between 2009-10 to study whether the provision of meals to malnourished students during school hours could improve their performance in cognitive tasks in the classroom How did you conduct the survey?

I, along with co-authors Bidisha Barooah and Rohini Somanathan, conducted a lab-in-the-field experiment, leveraging the extension of Indias school meal programme from primary to middle grades in 16 Sarvodaya schools of the directorate of education of Delhi in the academic year 2009-10. The idea was to study the effects of school-based supplementary nutrition on students cognitive effort in the classroom. We found that the provision of meals improved the cognitive performance of students by 13% to 16%. Our findings suggested that improvements in classroom attention and concentration due to school meals can be a mechanism through which long-term learning outcomes may improve in developing countries.

We conducted the tests before and after the extension of an ongoing free school meal programme to upper primary grades (VI-VIII) in public schools in Delhi, which were providing free cooked meals to primary grades as part of a federal programme, popularly known as the mid-day meal scheme since 2003. Sampled schools were revisited for a second round of data collection (endline) between February and April 2010, when all public schools were providingthe meals in upper primary grades.

What were the findings of this survey?

We found that school meals significantly improved performance of grade VII students. Between baseline and endline, the gain in the number of maze puzzles correctly solved in treated schools showed a 13% improvement in performance. Since we did not observe grade VII students in the rest of the schools before they received the meals, we could not be sure that the gains were due to different school-level trends or not. We addressed this by analysing data for grade V students. When we disaggregated students performance into pre- and post-recess, we found that the overall improvement in performance of students could be attributed to higher maze scores in the post-recess sessions (following the consumption of school meals in recess) and in the relatively more difficult maze puzzles.

This suggests that alleviating classroom hunger can impact learning outcomesviaimproved effort and cognition.

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Original post:
Why is the Madhya Pradesh government replacing eggs with milk in midday meals? - Livemint

by Anne Johnakin | 9/23/20 2:05am

Dartmouth Dining Services has rearranged the seating inside of 53 Commons to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

If youve seen any college food review TikToks, youll recognize the title of this article. NYU went viral near the end of August for its particularly egregious meal options for students in quarantine, including a whole lemon as a side dish and the infamous watermelon chicken salads served to vegetarians.

Having seen these TikToks in the weeks leading up to Dartmouth students return to campus, I was nervous to see how things would pan out. Would Dartmouth Dining food inspire snarky TikTok reviews, or would it live up to the Foco cookie legacy?

For Dartmouth Dining, serving 1,700 students quarantined in their rooms for a week was a huge undertaking. According to Jon Plodzik, director of Dartmouth Dining, the planning process started in March, led by a task force that met weekly to figure out how to feed students upon arrival.

I may be a little bit biased, but I think weve done an excellent job in a really difficult situation, Plodzik said. With our six venues around campus, were making the food fresh here at 53 Commons, shipping it out to all these locations and executing the program that way.

Thats not to say that it didnt have a few bumps along the way, Plodzik added.

Even with all the planning done to prepare, the first week of fall definitely had its hiccups. Students were sent a survey to indicate their dietary restrictions and allergies to ensure they would receive appropriate meals. However, when the time came to receive their food, some students were disappointed.

I put down dairy-free on my form, and yet theyve continually sent me milk, sandwiches with cheese, Doritos, all sorts of dairy products in my food, Bella Sicker 23 said. For me, it was just frustrating, but I imagine for others this is a really serious issue where they couldnt eat the food they were getting.

According to Sicker, the majority of meals she received during the first phase of the quarantine had a major component that she could not eat.

One reason for these errors comes from the large number of students who indicated that they had dietary restrictions, including allergies, vegetarianism and veganism and religious restrictions. According to Elizabeth Rosenberger a registered dietitian who works with Dartmouth Dining to handle nutritional issues there are normally around 30 to 40 reported students with food restrictions per year. This year, around 400 students marked down that they needed some type of accommodation, with 87 individual allergens identified.

The issues arose mainly with the food that was prepared well in advance, particularly the breakfast meal bags, according to Rosenberger.

Unfortunately in the first couple of days, the bags werent being checked as carefully as they couldve been. Somebody would get a breakfast bag with milk in it when they wouldve preferred almond milk or soy milk, Rosenberger said. After realizing this was an issue, Rosenberger added, Dartmouth Dining began double-checking bags after they left Foco to ensure they contained the correct contents.

Additionally, Dartmouth Dining modified some of its menus to account for the large amounts of people that didnt eat foods like dairy or pork, according to Rosenberger.

Plodzik also noted that Dartmouth Dining has added additional menu options for halal students after hearing concerns from the Muslim student group Al-Nur. He said that they plan on including these new products in their regular menu as well.

Now that students are free to leave their rooms and pick out the food they want, there are fewer issues with students receiving food they cannot eat.

Penelope Spurr 24, who follows a vegetarian diet, said she was pleasantly surprised that Foco was experimenting with using alternative meat products, such as plant-based meatballs, rather than sticking to conventional or bland vegetarian options.

While food options are just one concern, there is another issue for most Dartmouth students, Dartmouth Dining provides more than just the food it serves. One of the hallmark experiences of Dartmouth that COVID-19 has taken from the 24s is being able to eat a straight-out-of-the-oven Foco cookie or sit down for large group meals with their fellow freshmen.

I dont think that they know what theyre missing, which is kind of even sadder in a way, Sicker said. When I was new to Dartmouth, the meals that I had at Foco or Collis were really important social events and helped me eventually find my friends. I imagine that this is another thing that is making it more difficult for the 24s to find each other and socialize.

Dartmouth Dining has been doing its best to keep people excited and interested in the food, even if it isnt in the Foco dining room quite yet.

The feedback has been phenomenal, Plodzik said. Weve been running little things along the way to add some excitement in the program. Today were offering Macs Maple cotton candy as a little treat. Were trying to do some fun stuff to represent this part of the country and keep things exciting for students.

So while I havent seen very many Dartmouth food TikToks, Librex, an anonymous social media platform with a Dartmouth-specific forum, holds quite a few opinions on the food. For every negative comment, there are posts like FRENCH TOAST STICKS SLAPPED and Cheesecake is heat: More of this DDS thank u.

Plodzik says hes excited to get back into the regular dining program on Friday, and he expects students to be pleased as well.

Everyone should realize all of us in dining are here because of students, Plodzik said. We love what we do and we love to talk to you about how were doing things. If there are things we can do better, let me know. And if there are things were doing great, tell me that too. Were trying to create the best program in the country for the best students in the country.

Here is the original post:
Things in My Dartmouth Quarantine Meal that Just Make Sense - The Dartmouth

In the second part of an educational video made by the Expert Club about nutrition, veganism and vegetarianism, Doctor of Biological Sciences Sviatoslav Morozov and healthy nutrition expert Veronika Vero, who promotes vegetarianism, analyzed staple food that is traditionally consumed by Ukrainians.The experts came to the conclusion that consumption of sausages and sausage products, as well as cakes, some sorts of sweets and canned herrings could be harmful. They also recommended to eat more fruit and vegetables, as well as limit consumption of bread, flour products and bacon.Honey, dried fruit, raisings, seasonal fruit and vegetables were highly recommended by the experts.In addition, the experts cast doubt on benefits from regular consumption of dairy products since quality of the raw material (milk) raises questions, while lactose intolerance among many people makes consumption of such products even detrimental.Doctor of Biological Sciences Sviatoslav Morozov said that food producers aspire to reduce their products cost value and often ignore the harm they may cause to consumers health.Otherwise, they will be simply unable to withstand the market competition.Speaking about monotonous diet for farm animals and various chemical additives, they are used not to poison consumers. Nobody pursues such a goal. The task is different to cut the cost value and make products with a very long shelf life, while it is a big question whether this is useful or at least safe for human body, Morozov said.The full video is available on the Expert Club YouTube channelVeronika Vero, a vegetarian and healthy nutrition expert, spent more than eight years of training at the research and development center. She is the author of several programs, seminars, as well as physical, mental and energy retreats.Sviatoslav Morozov is a scientist with 30 years of experience, a Doctor of Biological Sciences and the author of a series of trainings, titled Survival in a Megalopolis.

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EXPERT, EXPERT CLUB, HEALTH, HEALTHY NUTRITION, MAXEVENTS, VEGETARIANISM

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EXPERTS ANALYZE STAPLE FOOD AND GIVE THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS VIDEO - Ukraine open for business

Late last year, Research Co. and Glacier Media took an initial look at the relationship between Canadians and animals.

At the time, the countrys residents appeared to express outright dismay at practices like trophy hunting and killing animals for their fur, but sizable majorities had no problems with eating animals or hunting them for meat.

In 2020, we wanted to once again review the feelings of Canadians but adding the perspectives of our southern neighbours. The two-country survey shows that the views of Canadians and Americans are common on some crucial topics, even if the prevalence of certain attitudes related to animals is not as significant in some parts of the United States.

Across the two countries, about three in four residents (76% in Canada and 75% in the United States) are in favour of eating animals. Opposition to this custom is highest among women (24% in each country) and residents aged 18 to 34 (27% in Canada and 25% in the U.S.). Quebec (23%) and the Northeast (26%) are the North American regions with the largest appetite for vegetarianism or veganism.

The numbers are also consistent when it comes to hunting animals for meat, with 65% of Canadians and 67% of Americans having no qualms about this practice. In both countries, men are more likely to endorse hunting animals for meat than women.

One of the biggest differences between Canadians and Americans is observed in their opinions on zoos and aquariums. The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected the activities of these venues, some of which are bringing in fewer visitors in an attempt to abide by social distancing guidelines. Others have temporarily closed their doors.

In Canada, half of residents (51%) are opposed to keeping animals in zoos or aquariums, while 39% are in favour of this custom. Support varies across the country, from a low of 35% in Ontario to a high of 46% in Alberta. Almost half of Canadian men (47%) do not have a problem with animals in captivity, compared to just one third of women (33%).

There are some sizable differences on political allegiance, with support for keeping animals in zoos or aquariums climbing from 35% among Liberal Party voters in the 2019 federal election, to 40% among New Democratic Party (NDP) supporters, to 50% for Conservative Party voters.

The findings change in the United States, where there are no major regional fluctuations. Almost two-thirds of Americans (64%) are in favour of keeping animals in zoos or aquariums, and just over three in 10 (31%) are opposed.

The issue of using animals in rodeos is decidedly more contentious in the United States. Americans are evenly divided on this practice, with 46% saying they are in favour of it and 46% opposing it. The gender gap is large, with 58% of men supporting the use of animals in rodeos compared to only 34% of women. Republican Party sympathizers are also significantly more likely to be in favour of rodeos (65%) than Independents (37%) and Democrats (36%).

In Canada, as was the case last year, opponents of the use of animals in rodeos outnumber enthusiasts by a two-to-one margin (62% to 32%). In Alberta, 49% of residents are in favour of using animals in rodeos. Support is significantly lower in British Columbia (33%), Quebec (27%) and Ontario (25%).

Two other customs are unquestionably less popular in North America. Only 25% of Americans and 19% of Canadians are in favour of killing animals for their fur. Aversion to the practice is highest among women (85% in the United States and 83% in Canada).

On the issue of hunting animals for sport, positive perceptions in Canada have fallen to single digits, with just 8% of Canadians favouring this practice. Support for trophy hunting plummets to just 5% among Canadians aged 55 and over.

In the United States, 25% of Americans are in favour of hunting animals for sport. The expected gender gap persists (39% among men, 11% among women). Also, while only 16% of Democrats favour trophy hunting, support climbs to 44% among Republicans.

There are several disparities in the way Canadians and Americans relate to animals. On the convoluted issue of entertainment, the views of Canadians have evolved at a faster pace. Both countries hold roughly the same opinions on food and are developing a greater disgust for the use of animals as garments and trophies.

Mario Canseco is president of Research Co.

Results are based on online studies conducted from September 4 to September 6, 2020, among representative samples of 1,000 adults in Canada and 1,200 adults in the United States. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian and U.S. census figures for age, gender and region in each country. The margin of error, which measures sample variability, is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points for Canada and plus or minus 2.8 percentage points for the United States.

Original post:
Canadians, Americans divided on issue of zoos and aquariums: poll - Business in Vancouver

Mario Canseco - Sep 21, 2020 / 1:54 pm | Story: 311190

Photo: Colin Dacre

A seal at the Vancouver Aquarium

Late last year, Research Co. and Glacier Media took an initial look at the relationship between Canadians and animals.

At the time, the countrys residents appeared to express outright dismay at practices like trophy hunting and killing animals for their fur, but sizable majorities had no problems with eating animals or hunting them for meat.

In 2020, we wanted to once again review the feelings of Canadians but adding the perspectives of our southern neighbours. The two-country survey shows that the views of Canadians and Americans are common on some crucial topics, even if the prevalence of certain attitudes related to animals is not as significant in some parts of the United States.

Across the two countries, about three in four residents (76% in Canada and 75% in the United States) are in favour of eating animals. Opposition to this custom is highest among women (24% in each country) and residents aged 18 to 34 (27% in Canada and 25% in the U.S.). Quebec (23%) and the Northeast (26%) are the North American regions with the largest appetite for vegetarianism or veganism.

The numbers are also consistent when it comes to hunting animals for meat, with 65% of Canadians and 67% of Americans having no qualms about this practice. In both countries, men are more likely to endorse hunting animals for meat than women.

One of the biggest differences between Canadians and Americans is observed in their opinions on zoos and aquariums. The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected the activities of these venues, some of which are bringing in fewer visitors in an attempt to abide by social distancing guidelines. Others have temporarily closed their doors.

In Canada, half of residents (51%) are opposed to keeping animals in zoos or aquariums, while 39% are in favour of this custom. Support varies across the country, from a low of 35% in Ontario to a high of 46% in Alberta. Almost half of Canadian men (47%) do not have a problem with animals in captivity, compared to just one third of women (33%).

There are some sizable differences on political allegiance, with support for keeping animals in zoos or aquariums climbing from 35% among Liberal Party voters in the 2019 federal election, to 40% among New Democratic Party (NDP) supporters, to 50% for Conservative Party voters.

The findings change in the United States, where there are no major regional fluctuations. Almost two-thirds of Americans (64%) are in favour of keeping animals in zoos or aquariums, and just over three in 10 (31%) are opposed.

The issue of using animals in rodeos is decidedly more contentious in the United States. Americans are evenly divided on this practice, with 46% saying they are in favour of it and 46% opposing it. The gender gap is large, with 58% of men supporting the use of animals in rodeos compared to only 34% of women. Republican Party sympathizers are also significantly more likely to be in favour of rodeos (65%) than Independents (37%) and Democrats (36%).

In Canada, as was the case last year, opponents of the use of animals in rodeos outnumber enthusiasts by a two-to-one margin (62% to 32%). In Alberta, 49% of residents are in favour of using animals in rodeos. Support is significantly lower in British Columbia (33%), Quebec (27%) and Ontario (25%).

Two other customs are unquestionably less popular in North America. Only 25% of Americans and 19% of Canadians are in favour of killing animals for their fur. Aversion to the practice is highest among women (85% in the United States and 83% in Canada).

On the issue of hunting animals for sport, positive perceptions in Canada have fallen to single digits, with just 8% of Canadians favouring this practice. Support for trophy hunting plummets to just 5% among Canadians aged 55 and over.

In the United States, 25% of Americans are in favour of hunting animals for sport. The expected gender gap persists (39% among men, 11% among women). Also, while only 16% of Democrats favour trophy hunting, support climbs to 44% among Republicans.

There are several disparities in the way Canadians and Americans relate to animals. On the convoluted issue of entertainment, the views of Canadians have evolved at a faster pace. Both countries hold roughly the same opinions on food and are developing a greater disgust for the use of animals as garments and trophies.

Mario Canseco is president of Research Co.

Results are based on online studies conducted from September 4 to September 6, 2020, among representative samples of 1,000 adults in Canada and 1,200 adults in the United States. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian and U.S. census figures for age, gender and region in each country. The margin of error, which measures sample variability, is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points for Canada and plus or minus 2.8 percentage points for the United States.

The Canadian Press - Sep 21, 2020 / 12:38 pm | Story: 311180

Photo: The Canadian Press

RCMP officers prepare to enter an apartment complex in connection with the mailing of ricin to President Trump Monday, September 21, 2020 in St. Hubert, Que.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

RCMP are searching a residence on Montreal's south shore in connection with envelopes containing the poison ricin that were sent to the White House and to various locations in Texas.

Cpl. Charles Poirier said Monday the home is connected to a woman arrested Sunday night at the New York-Canada border who authorities suspect is involved in the case.

"We don't know if she lived here but there is a clear link between her and this residence," Poirier told reporters at the scene.

The home is located in a multi-unit building on Vauquelin Blvd. in St-Hubert, bordering a forest and not far from an airport. Some of the units in the building were evacuated after police arrived around 10 a.m.

The RCMP's Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives team is leading the operation with support from local police and firefighters. Police say all necessary measures have been taken to ensure public safety.

"We don't know what we're going to find, that's why we've deployed multiple resources," Poirier said. "We also have a specialized unit to make sure that if we find something that is highly toxic inside the residence, we are prepared."

The Associated Press reported Sunday that three U.S. law enforcement officials said a woman suspected of sending a toxic envelope to the White House was arrested at the New York-Canada border. They said the letter had been intercepted last week before it reached the official residence of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Poirier said Monday that envelopes containing ricin a toxic substance found naturally in castor beans had also been sent to various locations in Texas.

Canadian law enforcement was called in to help the FBI investigate after American authorities found evidence the suspicious letter to the White House had originated in Canada.

The woman was taken into custody by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Peace Bridge border crossing in Fort Erie, Ont., and she is expected to face federal charges. Her name was not immediately released.

Poirier said police are expected to be at the residence south of Montreal for a few hours.

There have been several prior instances in which U.S. officials have been targeted with ricin sent through the mail.

A Navy veteran was arrested in 2018 and confessed to sending envelopes to Trump and members of his administration that contained the substance from which ricin is derived. The letters were intercepted, and no one was hurt.

In 2014, a Mississippi man was sentenced to 25 years in prison after sending letters dusted with ricin to President Barack Obama and other officials.

The Canadian Press - Sep 21, 2020 / 11:53 am | Story: 311172

Photo: The Canadian Press

RCMP investigators search for evidence at the location where Const. Heidi Stevenson was killed along the highway in Shubenacadie, N.S. on Thursday, April 23, 2020. Court documents released today describe the violence a Nova Scotia mass killer inflicted on his father years before his rampage, as well as the gunman's growing paranoia before the outburst of shootings and killings.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

Court documents released today describe the violence a Nova Scotia mass killer inflicted on his father years before his rampage as well as the gunman's growing paranoia before the outburst of killings.

Fifty-one-year Gabriel Wortman took 22 lives on April 18-19 before police killed him at a service station in Enfield, N.S.

In documents that a media consortium, including The Canadian Press, went before a provincial court judge to obtain, Wortman's spouse and cousin both describe how in 2016 he smashed his father's head against the pool during a family vacation in the Caribbean.

The May 5 police application for a search warrant quotes a cousin, who was a retired RCMP officer, telling investigators that the killer was "a strange little guy" when they were growing up, and he'd come to believe Wortman was a career criminal capable of killing others.

The gunman's spouse says in the documents her partner once wooed her with flowers, but he had grown increasingly paranoid and violent in recent years.

She recalled that he once told her he believed it would be easy to murder police officers, and on the night of the rampage he had "snapped" as he went from making plans and chatting with her to burning his property in Portapique, N.S.

The documents also contain a detailed account of how Wortman received $475,000 in $100 bills from a Brinks facility in Dartmouth, N.S., on March 30, as he grew increasingly anxious about COVID-19.

Investigators also describe a series of 2019 transactions the gunman made as he assembled the replica police vehicle he drove during the rampage.

The purchases included police cars, light bars, siren light controls, a dashboard camera, vinyl decals and a push bar for the front of the car to create an almost identical replica.

Witnesses quoted in the documents cast fresh light on the assistance Wortman received in creating decals for the vehicle he drove during the rampage.

Peter Griffon provided a cautioned statement to police describing how he'd made the RCMP decals for Wortman's car, without the knowledge of his employer, using a computer at the back of the shop to research RCMP emblems.

The owner of the graphics company is quoted in the documents saying he'd told Griffon not to make the decals, as "he should not be messing around with stuff like that."

Griffon, who was on parole from prison, has since had his parole revoked as a result of the assistance he provided Wortman.

The 40-year-old man had been on parole, and living with his parents in Portapique, N.S., doing odd jobs for Wortman, when he completed the decal work.

A National Parole Board decision provided to The Canadian Press says Griffon was convicted of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking in 2017, and received parole a year later.

The board said in its decision, "the consequences of your (Griffon's) most recent flawed decision-making contributed to a horrific end that touched every life in your province. Those decisions are inconsistent with being on parole."

The newly released court documents also contain statements from a Canada Border Services Agency officer who provided a database analysis indicating Wortman had travelled to the United States frequently in the past decade and had imported car parts.

He crossed the Woodstock, N.B., border crossing 15 times in the past two years, according to the document.

The Canadian Press - Sep 21, 2020 / 11:52 am | Story: 311171

Photo: The Canadian Press

Ships are framed by pieces of melting sea ice in Frobisher Bay in Iqaluit, Nunavut on Wednesday, July 31, 2019. Satellite pictures say Arctic sea ice is now at its second-lowest level in more than four decades. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Satellite pictures show Arctic sea ice is at its second-lowest level in more than four decades.

And scientists say they believe the defining feature of life in northern waters could shrink even further before the melt season is over.

The U.S.-based National Snow and Ice Data Centre has decided that today is likely to be when the overall level of sea ice across the Arctic stops melting and starts growing again.

Centre director Mark Serreze says the amount of Arctic sea ice is at least 1.5 million fewer square kilometres less than the average.

The ice barely beats that from 2012, the year with the all-time lowest level in the 42 years satellites have been photographing the Arctic.

Sea ice is a crucial factor in Arctic ecosystems, determining the fate of everything from one-celled animals to polar bears.

It is also thought by many to have a strong role in southern weather patterns.

The Canadian Press - Sep 21, 2020 / 11:00 am | Story: 311164

Photo: The Canadian Press

The COVID-19 pandemic appears to be gaining steam across Eastern Canada as Ontario and Quebec report a surge in infections.

Health authorities in Quebec reported 568 new COVID-19 cases today, a jump of more than 100 compared with Sunday, while Ontario's numbers increased to 425 from 365 a day prior.

In Montreal, which saw over 200 new cases in the last 24 hours, regional Public Health Director Mylene Drouin says all COVID-19 indicators are worsening, suggesting the beginning of a second wave.

Quebec announced tighter restrictions on public and private indoor gatherings on Sunday as it raised the alert level for several regions of the province, including Montreal and Quebec City.

In Quebec and in Ontario, the jump in new cases is being driven by people under the age of 40, who Drouin says are less likely to get seriously ill from COVID-19 but who can still transmit the virus to others who are more vulnerable.

Authorities are reporting COVID-19 outbreaks across the country today, including in schools, workplaces and on the main campus of the University of Alberta, which prompted officials there to suspend varsity athletics for 14 days.

The Canadian Press - Sep 21, 2020 / 10:58 am | Story: 311162

Photo: The Canadian Press

Social Development Minister Ahmed Hussen

The federal Liberals plan to spend $1 billion over the next six months so cities and other housing providers can keep people from becoming homeless.

The rapid-housing funds can be used to buy properties being sold because of the COVID-19 pandemic, or to build new modular units.

The Liberals expect the program will create 3,000 new affordable housing units across Canada.

They want all the funds to be committed by the end of March 2021.

The funding will be available to municipalities, provinces, territories, Indigenous governing bodies and agencies and non-profit organizations.

Social Development Minister Ahmed Hussen says Ottawa will provide an additional $237 million to the federal homelessness strategy for pandemic-related expenses.

The Canadian Press - Sep 21, 2020 / 9:50 am | Story: 311127

Photo: The Canadian Press

The latest numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada as of Sept. 21, 2020:

There are 144,662 confirmed cases in Canada.

_ Quebec: 68,128 confirmed (including 5,804 deaths, 59,131 resolved)

_ Ontario: 47,274 confirmed (including 2,829 deaths, 41,146 resolved)

_ Alberta: 16,381 confirmed (including 255 deaths, 14,702 resolved)

_ British Columbia: 7,842 confirmed (including 223 deaths, 5,797 resolved)

_ Saskatchewan: 1,807 confirmed (including 24 deaths, 1,643 resolved)

_ Manitoba: 1,586 confirmed (including 16 deaths, 1,216 resolved)

_ Nova Scotia: 1,086 confirmed (including 65 deaths, 1,020 resolved)

_ Newfoundland and Labrador: 272 confirmed (including 3 deaths, 267 resolved)

_ New Brunswick: 196 confirmed (including 2 deaths, 191 resolved)

_ Prince Edward Island: 57 confirmed (including 56 resolved)

_ Yukon: 15 confirmed (including 15 resolved)

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Canadians, Americans divided on issue of zoos and aquariums: poll - Canada News - Castanet.net

Frank on Jen

What were you hoping for?To meet someone with the potential for something long-term.

First impressions?Confident. Shes got her life where she wants it to be.

What did you talk about?Animals, crime, university, family, living abroad in hot countries, being European or not, being vegetarian or not (were not, but we should be), food, wine, sport.

Any awkward moments?None for me.

Good table manners?I dont worry too much about those.

Best thing about Jen?She seemed very down-to-earth and natural. It felt like there were no barriers to me seeing who she is.

Would you introduce her to your friends?Yes.

Describe Jen in three words??Conscientious, friendly, relaxed. Those dont do her justice, though.

What do you think she made of you?Ooh, tough question. Ive got a feeling she may have found herself dumbing down to my level a little more than shed have liked, but she messaged back after I gave her my number. Hopefully she enjoyed my company, as I enjoyed hers.

Did you go on somewhere?We didnt, as she was staying at a friends overnight. But we stayed the course in the restaurant.

If it werent for social distancing, would you have kissed?Im not sure. I think the physical chemistry might be a slow burner between us, but not out of the question if we go on future dates.

If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?She was facing a mirror that must have been off-putting for her.

Marks out of 10?The date was an 8.

Would you meet again?Yes.

What were you hoping for?Ideally, the man of my dreams. More realistically, I was looking for a new experience, with good company and good food.

First impressions?Frank came across as kind and polite.

What did you talk about?All sorts of things, ranging from meteorology to vegetarianism to the partition of India.

Any awkward moments?No.

Good table manners?Absolutely.

Best thing about Frank?He was very good at asking me questions, listening, and remembering what Id said.

Would you introduce him to your friends?Yes, I think so.

Describe Frank in three words?Attentive, kind, interesting.

What do you think he made of you?Probably that Im a bit of a mix of many things?

Did you go on somewhere?No, but it was gone 11pm when we left.

If it werent for social distancing, would you have kissed?Not on a first date.

If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?I felt I didnt get to ask as many questions about him as I would normally, so I hope that didnt come across as self-absorbed.

Marks out of 10?A solid 8.

Would you meet again?Probably.

Frank and Jen ate at Barrafina, Adelaide Street, London WC2. They were photographed separately for this image. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com.

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Blind date: I think she was dumbing down to my level - The Guardian

Brand revitalization requires finding and satisfying a new, important customer need. Brand success requires being the best at something relevant and differentiated. It means never taking your eye off of changing customer needs.

As veganism and vegetarianism diets become more embedded into peoples lifestyles, anything plant-based is now perceived as good. Plant-based foods and beverages are seen as healthy and planet-friendly, an image that appears to override the idea that processing also takes place in their production.

Margarine is a non-dairy spread that was previously marginalized due to its hydrogenation, which turns polyunsaturates into saturates and trans-fatty acids. Because of hydrogenation, and its non-buttery texture and taste, margarine sales declined over the last decade. But, now margarine is morphing into the healthier fare, as margarine is naturally plant-based. And, hydrogenation is no longer used to make margarine firmer and texturally closer to dairy butter. Current alternative butter brands made from plants contain healthy unsaturated fats. Brands, such as Blue Band, that were derided as pale non-dairy substitutes are now desired as manufacturers update and revise ingredients. Margarine has now become a darling of the alternative dietary regime crowds.

Margarine has an interesting past. Frances first president (1848-1852), Napoleon III, the nephew Napoleon I, asked for an alternative to butter due to food shortages that affected feeding the French army. A chemist, Hippolte Mege-Mouries created oleomargarine and the rest is history.

Unilever built a global margarine and spread business that included over 100 brands including Flora, I Cant Believe Its Not Butter, Blue Band. In 2017, after a very high-priced bidding war, investment firm KKR walked away with the prize, offering Unilever approximately US$7.7 billion (6.8 billion). The acquired business was set up under a new corporate entity called Upfield.

Ordinarily, the terms brand revitalization and private equity are not commonly used in the same sentence, so kudos to KKR. Rather than starve the former Unilever brands, KKR saw an opportunity that could not be overlooked: the appeal and profitability of plant-based foods. With some recipe changes and new marketing, KKR could leverage its portfolio as a healthier and more sustainable way to eat.

Some products were jettisoned, but this was to be laser-focused on the brands that fit the overarching portfolios new positioning. This new positioning is clearly articulated on Upfields website We are the largest plant-based consumer products company in the world and we have embarked on a journey to deliver a Better Plant-Based Future to the benefit of our customers and consumers alike. Along with this statement is the commitment to sustainability including a policy paper titled, A Better Plant-Based Future.

According to the Financial Times, Upfield is determined to change the image of margarine. By focusing on the sustainability of margarine, Upfield is altering its ingredient lists by reducing each product to around five natural ingredients to create cleaner labels. Financial Times reports that originally KKR intended to strip out inefficiencies but decided on a new strategy after spotting consumer appetite for sexy plant-based foods.

Apparently, Upfield made the correct decision, as its net sales grew by 1.3 percent in 2019. And, The Good Food Institute reported sales of plant-based alternatives to meat, dairy, and eggs rose 11 percent year on year in the U.S. to $5 billion in 2019.

In the U.S., Earth Balance is one of Upfields biggest competitors. Earth Balance is a two-decades-old enterprise that makes vegan alternative butter spreads, nut butter, and snacks. Its products are vegan, plant-based, and non-GMO. The products have been designed to create a conscious, rewarding way of living. As part of its philosophy is its original commitment to being ethically plant-based. The palm oil it uses is a non-GMO, non-hydrogenated oil. Earth Balance is involved in the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), committed to environmentally and socially responsible palm oil production.

Upfield is also focused on sustainable palm oil. Upfield states that it, too, sources 100 percent of its palm oil from physically certified sustainable sources. Additionally, as part of its investment, Upfield is pouring 50 million into a new Food Science Centre in Wageningen, the Netherlands, that will focus on sustainability, health, and taste in plant-based food, according to foodnavigator.com.

The current eating scene is undergoing vast alterations. There are no clues as to which dining and cooking behaviors will last or fall away fast. What is clear is that the appeal of plant-based food alternatives is a growing customer desire. Revitalizing a brand by focusing on satisfying changing customer habits and attitudes keep brands relevant for enduring profitable growth.

By Larry Light, CEO Arcature Brand Consulting

More here:
Blue Band and Margarine's Morph into Meaningfulness - Ventures Africa

The ever-evolving Coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused interruptions in supply chains of companies in the Starter Feed market. Through careful analysis of the COVID-19, our analysts at PMR offer you a birds eye view of the current on goings of top tier companies in the Starter Feed market. Learn how leading companies are striking potential partnership agreements to generate sales in the Starter Feed market.

Assessment of the Global Starter Feed Market

The recently published market study on the global Starter Feed market by Persistence Market Research (PMR) offers an elaborate analysis of the different market parameters that are poised to influence the overall dynamics of the Starter Feed market. Further, the study reveals that the global Starter Feed market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of ~XX% through the forecast period (20XX-20XX) and reach a market value of ~US$ by the end of 20XX.

The presented study provides critical insights related to the future prospects of the Starter Feed market by analyzing the different segments and sub-segments of the Starter Feed market. Further, the report is divided into different sections to provide readers a clear understanding of the different aspects of the Starter Feed market.

Request Sample Report @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.co/samples/30183

Critical insights enclosed in the report:

Important market segments included in the report:

Market Participants

Some of the market participants operating in the global Starter Feed market identified across the value chain includes Alltech Inc., KoninKlijke DSM N.V., Cargill Incorporated, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Evonik Industries AG, Roquette America Inc., BASF SE, Devenish Nutrition, LLC., Green Mountain Feeds, Lowes Pellets & Grain, Inc., NEMO Feed LLC., KalambachFeeds among the other starter feed manufacturers.

Opportunities for Participants in the Starter Feed Market

The poultry farmers are demanding highly digestible plant proteins in their feed variants, so starter feed manufacturers have the opportunities in the purified and highly digestible plant protein starter feed. The increasing demand for the alternatives to the conventional feeds has propelled the manufacturers to explore the natural functional properties of widely sold protein sources. The soy-allergic consumers prefer the meat and eggs from poultry raised on the soy-free diet, due to which the manufacturers are formulating the non-GMO and soy-free starter feed diets

Global poultry farmers use antibiotics for their animals to prevent them from any disease. Nations like the United States has banned the use of antibiotics to raise poultry animals. This has been creating a huge demand for the medicated starter feed for growing livestock babies in the region. This results in the increasing interest of the starter feed manufacturers into Phytobiotics as the use of antibiotics become more and more regulated in the industry. This trend is expected to boost market growth in the forecasted period. The increasing consumer shift towards veganism and vegetarianism, the consumption of livestock-based product has dropped down, which hampers the growth of the Starter feed market.

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The market study addresses the following queries related to the global Starter Feed market:

For any queries get in touch with Industry Expert @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.co/ask-an-expert/30183

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Starter Feed to Hit a Market Value of US$ by 2019 2029 - The Daily Chronicle

AN SNP demand for a second referendum mustbe taken seriouslyif the party wins a majority at Holyrood, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

If theres a majority its got to be looked at in Westminster, the UK Labour leader said this morning ahead ofhis partys virtual autumn conference.

Polls currently predict the SNP on course for their second majority at next years election.

Sir Keirs comments on Skys Sophie Ridge on Sunday echo some he made earlier this year on STV when he argued for a new constitutional convention and enhanced devolution.

READ MORE: Scottish independence: Nicola Sturgeon looks back on 2014 result

However, his words now carry the weight of coming from the leader of the opposition and raise the question of how Labour at Westminster would react to a demand for Indyref2.

Boris Johnson has dismissed the idea out of hand, saying the No result of 2014 should be the once-in-a-generation vote Nicola Sturgeon promised on the campaign trail.

Asked if there should be another referendum if the SNP win next year, Sir Keir said: I think another independencereferendum will be divisive, and thats whyLabour will be campaigning into the May elections on the economy, rebuilding the economy, on ensuring our public services are in the right place and defeating the coronavirus.

Im frustrated that, in a sense, in the middle of a pandemic, we have the SNP talking about independence, we have the Tories talking about Brexit when in my view they should be focusing on pulling together to defeat the virus.

Sir Keir was then reminded of a statement he made on a visit to Scotland in January this year, before he became leader when he said that if the SNP won another majority they would have a mandate for another referendum.

He said at the time: I absolutely accept this is a question for Scotland and the people of Scotland. If theres a majority it has to be looked at in Westminster.

Pressed again today on whether he thought there should be a referendum or not if the SNP win a majority, he said: Look, this is a question for Scotland and the people of Scotland.

READ MORE:Andrew Marr: Impact of Scottish independence on England would be 'enormous'

If theres a majority its got to be looked at in Westminster.

But the Labour party will be campaigning into May on the basis that what we dont want is another divisive referendum.

Pressed again on whether Indyref2 should be looked at if there is an SNP majority, Sir Keir replied: Thats of course beyond May of next year. What Im focused on, and I was up in Scotland with Scottish Labour this week, talking about our priorities and our strategy for getting from here to May of next year and making the arguments that we think matter most, which are about the economy, public services and tackling the virus.

Asked what Labours position would be if the SNP won a majority, he changed the subject.

He said: Let us focus on what we need to do now, which is getting to May and those elections, dealing with the virus, and everybody in politics says things with great certainty.

Im sure back in December of last year if youd said wed be in the middle of the pandemic and we wouldnt even be able to meet for conference people would have said I dont believe thats going to happen. Lets focus on the here and now.

I honestly that across the whole of the United Kingdom and in Scotland, most people think, What are you going to bring this infection under control and deal with the pandemic.

READ MORE:'Only NHS has access': SNP insists Amazon is not getting data from a million users of Scotland's Test and Protect app

On Covid, Sir Keir said Boris Johnson should apologise for testing being "all over the place" and children should be tested as a priority to minimise disruption to schools.

Stressing his party was now under new leadership, he said he did share one thing in common with his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn - vegetarianism.

He said he had given up meat asa matter of principle years ago on the basis that it wasnt the right thing for the body and the planet.

He said he desperately missed bacon sandwiches, chicken curry, almost everything. This is hard work for me.

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Starmer: Indyref2 demand must be 'looked at in Westminster' if SNP win majority - HeraldScotland