Meat-eaters challenged to eat their ‘pets’ in new Channel 4 reality TV show

A new reality TV show will offer families an ultimatum of either going vegetarian or killing and eating their newly adopted “pet”.

Amid continuing protests in the capital and experts calling on people to eat less meat in order to tackle climate change comes a new Channel 4 show, called Meat the Family.

The programme will see participants look after the species of animal “which ends up most often on their plates” and treat them like any other pet.

The three hour-long shows, which will air in 2020, are designed to confront “the reality of an animal’s journey from field to plate”, the series’ producer, Spun Gold said.

Juiliet Rice, head of the production company, said: “The minute we asked ourselves why is it that we would eat a little lamb or pig but not our pet dog, it begged a lot of questions.

“Do we love our dogs more because we think they are smarter than farm animals? Have personalities? Because they’re cuter?”

Nicola Brown, commissioning editor for specialist factual programmes at Channel 4, said the debate around eating meat and animal welfare is more prominent than ever before.

She added: “Confronting the reality of an animal’s journey from field to plate, Meat the Family will be a life-changing and emotional experiment for all involved.”

The documentary comes at a time when a number of high-profile public figures have announced they are ditching meat for more plant-based diets.

Arnold Schwarzenegger recently produced a documentary film with James Cameron called The Game Changers about the benefits of adopting a plant-based diet.

Meanwhile, Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton said this week that the “only way to save the planet” is for people to adopt a vegan diet.

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