People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has said a Mid Devon MP's call for more promotion of red meat eating is not only "out of touch but also grossly irresponsible".
The charity have written a letter to Tiverton and Honiton MP Neil Parish asking him to think again about his support for the meat industry.
The charity whose motto reads, in part, that "animals are not ours to eat", have questioned why the Conservative MP was recently re-elected as chair of the all-parliamentary group on animal welfare, when he has previously made calls for more red meat to be served in restaurants at the Houses of Parliament.
The charity sent a letter to the MP seeking to remind him of the high cost of meat for animals, the environment and human health and encouraging him to reconsider his views.
"At a time when people are increasingly avoiding animal products – for health, environmental or animal welfare reasons – a proposition that actively endorses meat consumption is not only out of touch but also grossly irresponsible", said PETA manager of special projects Elisa Allen.
"British MPs can set a positive example by reducing or eliminating their meat intake."
Some scientific research has linked red meat consumption to a range of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, strokes and certain cancers.
The charity also says growing crops to feed animals which go on to be eaten by humans will also prove unsustainable for the planet. The lobby group is encouraging people to make a pledge to go vegan during January.
