French farmers protest over meatless school menus

French farmers are protesting after a city takes meat off its school menus.

Some farmers drove tractors and others brought their animals to the square in Lyon. Now, through the beginning of May, the southern city decided that school lunch menus will be meat-free with the exceptions of fish and eggs.

The mayor says that the decision was made to simplify service and help stop the spread of COVID. The government and ag groups say it is an insult to farmers and butchers. The French Ag Minister pushed back on social media saying, “Let’s stop putting ideology on our children’s plates! Let’s just give them what they need to grow well. Meat is one of them.”