IFA president Joe Healy said that Eden Animal Sanctuary, which funds expensive advertisements around the country as part of the Go Vegan World campaign, needs to publish where its money comes from.

The sanctuary is limited by guarantee. It does not have charitable status and therefore is not subject to the charity regulations. The sanctuary also avoids the requirement to publish audited annual accounts.

Substantial commercial interests are investing in non-meat products. “It’s clear there is an attempt to deflect from other sectors in the climate debate, including fossil fuels,” he said.

I think the public deserves to know who is funding these campaigns

Go Vegan World has promoted an inaccurate message on billboards saying that “Eating animal foods contributes more to climate change than transport”.

The IFA complained about this advert to the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland (ASAI) and was advised that the message was outside its remit.

“I think the public deserves to know who is funding these campaigns. As the ASAI has washed its hands of the issue, it is clear that there is no oversight in relation to the validity of the message or who is funding it.”

It is incumbent on Go Vegan World to publish the sources of its funding.