New Zealand Prime Minister against fake meat

New Zealand’s acting Prime Minister Winston Peters rebuked his country’s flag carrier airline, Air New Zealand, for offering passengers the Impossible Burger, a vegetarian meat substitute made in the United States. Peters said he was “utterly opposed to fake beef” and that Air New Zealand should be promoting the country’s agricultural produce. New Zealand parliament, first party member Mark Patterson called the move “an existential threat to New Zealand’s second biggest export earner” and was a “slap in the face” for the country’s red meat sector. In a statement, Air New Zealand defended its veggie burger policy, saying it “makes no apology for offering innovative product choices for its customers and will continue to do so in the future.” The airline noted that it is a significant promoter and purveyor of New Zealand produce and spends millions of dollars each year purchasing beef and lamb sourced from around the country for its in-flight meals. — WLJ