The Public Petitions Committee takes evidence on how public sector menus cater for vegans
Opposition leaders and backbench MSPs grill the first minister
An SNP MSP leads a member's debate marking World AIDs Day
MSPs debate the safe staffing bill for the first time
Image source, bbcSNP MSP Angus MacDonald
SNP MSP Angus MacDonald says the witnesses state that the number of people adopting veganism has doubled twice recently.
"You can probably tell at first glance that I'm not one of them," jokes Mr MacDonald..
Mark Banahan from The Vegan Society says: "There has been a huge increase in the last two years."
There has been an explosion in interest in veganism, in recent years, driven largely by concerns about health, animal welfare and the environment.
Vegans, for the uninitiated, do not eat meat, poultry, fish, or any products derived from animals, including eggs, dairy products, and gelatin.
There are now four times as many vegans in the UK as there were four years ago.
So how hard is it to convert, and what are the potential health benefits?
Committee convener Johann Lamont
Committee convener Johann Lamont asks if the Scottish government has responded to the survey.
Barbara Bolton says the government recognise veganism is a protected belief, but it said local authorities were responsible for providing options.
Ms Lamont highlights that if this is a problem in hospitals too, then it is not just for local authorities.
"I think we've essentially been given the brush off," replies Ms Bolton.
She warns that cases could end up in court but adds that this is not the route she wants to take.
An increasing number of people are choosing the plant-based diet and everyone has their own reason for doing it whether it's for health reasons, to reduce animal cruelty or to protect the environment.
But how environmentally-friendly is being a vegan?
In this video we explore the impact some of the most popular vegan foods have on our planet, comparing them to the farming industry.
Presented by Frankie McCamley. Produced by Phoebe Frieze
Image source, bbcThe petition, external, lodged by petitioner Mark Banahan, urges the Scottish government to bring forward legislation to guarantee plant-based options on every public sector menu every day, to protect the rights of vegans and for our health, the environment and animals.
Mr Banahan explains that increasing veganism would benefit the environment.
Eating a vegan diet is the single biggest way that a person can impact the earth according to an Oxford University study, he says.
The petitioner says he hopes longer term dietary choices will be more environmentally healthy.
He insists all plant diets are suitable for all ages and can have health benefits, like lowering blood pressure.
Barbara Bolton from Go Vegan Scotland - who is also a lawyer specialising in vegan law - highlights that vegans are protected under equality law.
"We have a right to live in a way that avoids using or killing animals."
She adds: "Unfortunately there is very little awareness of the rights of vegans."
Barbara Bolton from Go Vegan Scotland
Ms Bolton says in many hospitals vegans are not catered for, meaning family and friends have to bring in food or people discharge themselves before they are ready.
Vegans are frequently told that public services do not have to provide for them, she adds.
The Go Vegan Scotland representative also points to cases where children are unable to access free school meals because no vegan option is offered.
The government has to take steps to ensure that there is consistent provision across the country, and legislation is the best way to do that, she concludes.
Image source, bbcThe committee is hearing from:
Image source, Getty ImagesThe bulk of the petitions committee this morning will be on a bid to ensure all public sector menus include at least one vegan, external option each day.
MSPs will hear from the Vegan Society and Go Vegan Scotland.
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After this, the committee will consider petitions on:
Image source, PA/BBCGood morning and welcome to Holyrood Live on Thursday 6 December 2018.
The petitions committee considers a range of issues, including taking evidence on including vegan options in all public sector menus.
After general questions, we will provide extensive coverage of first minister's questions.
Then SNP MSP Emma Harper uses a member's debate slot to highlight World AIDs Day.
After lunch, MSPs debate the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Bill for the first time.