Vegetarian rights denied: No longer cutting the mustard?

This article is a criticism of the decision of an employment tribunal in Norwich to deny recognition of the rights of vegetarians under equality legislation in the UK in 2019. It delves into the historical encounter of vegetarianism in common law courts from the late nineteenth century. It shows that eminent judges were familiar with vegetarianism and recognised its charitable purposes. Despite the fact that the European Court of Human Rights has also acknowledged vegetarianism as a protected belief under the European Convention and British courts have done likewise, the tribunal judge contrasted vegetarianism with veganism and found only the latter belief system worthy of protection. This article challenges assumptions about the nature of vegetarianism, arguing that it does not emanate solely from secular sources but has deep religious roots and may occupy a hybrid space in human rights law. It recommends legal clarity to defend vegetarianism as a protected belief.