By Martin Banks - 3rd December 2009
By making a simple change in the way you eat, you are taking part in a world changing campaign
Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney faced a barrage of criticism when he arrived in parliament to speak at hearing on climate change.
The ex-Beatle, an environmental activist, was in parliament on Thursday to promote his "eat-less-meat" campaign.
The debate was organised by British deputy Edward McMillan-Scott and McCartney was met with a huge throng of admirers when he arrived at parliament.
He says that reducing meat consumption will help cut CO2 emissions.
Writing in the latest issue of the Parliament Magazine, McCartney says, "By making a simple change in the way you eat, you are taking part in a world changing campaign."
But, speaking during the debate, UK Independence Party deputy Paul Nuttall, said McCartney had been "duped".
He invited the pop icon to attend a Ukip-staged lunchtime BBQ in the nearby Place Luxembourg, called "All you need is meat."
"Mr McMillan-Scott drove to Brussels airport to personally collect Sir Paul today which cannot have done much to help cut greenhouse gas emissions. It is a case of 'do as I say, not as I do'. The whole thing is a con."
Nuttall, a fellow Liverpudlian, said, "The EU is using climate change to justify its own existence.
"People like me who are climate change sceptics have been described as climate change deniers but that is not true," he said.
"The fact is that much of what is said about climate change is highly debatable."
More criticism came from UK Tory MEP Richard Ashworth who said, "What Sir Paul seems to forget is that farmers have created the green and pleasant land we live in and cheap gimmicks like this will harm our attempts to deal with the problem."
But UK MEP Glenis Willmott hit back, saying, "We are overjoyed Sir Paul has come to parliament to campaign on climate change."
German Socialist deputy Jo Leinen told the hearing that eating less meat could play a "significant" role in helping combat CO2 emissions.
