The Queen Victoria Market (QVM) is an iconic Melbourne location. In many ways it represents our city's vibrant character and magnificent cultural diversity. However, the large and colourful fresh fruit and vegetable section is surrounded by violence, disease, and environmental devastation. More information on that in the links below.

“COVID-19 is just a dress rehearsal for a real killer plague like influenza.” Dr Michael Greger

The location is currently undergoing a major precinct renewal, supported by the City of Melbourne, at a cost of $250 million. The council claims the program will be putting the market on track to zero carbon and zero waste through the installation of solar power, organic waste recycling and stormwater harvesting, completely ignoring the largest contributing factor to the location’s carbon footprint and environmental destruction being, far and away, the dead animal bodies, skins and secretions it sells. 

The renewal also completely ignores urgent warnings from infectious disease experts, (even amid a global pandemic) that the leading cause of pandemics is from eating animals and their overall exploitation, with guarantees that they are only going to become more frequent and more severe.

With the support of the City of Melbourne, the QVM could and should transition to a world-leading, innovative, plant-based mecca as a matter of urgency. The carcass halls, across the butcher, fishmonger and deli sections, would make perfect sites for showcasing all the wonderful plant-based food alternatives becoming more frequently available, whilst also continuing to supply many of the basic plant-based products that are already readily available at the market, highlighting that much of what the general public already consumes is vegan by default.
 
The west side sheds, which are in desperate need of reinvigoration, could brilliantly showcase ecologically sourced, recycled, upcycled and reclaimed vegan lifestyle pieces, fashion, souvenirs and so on.

Such a model must strive to provide products sourced from the most ecological and fair labour practices, whilst also focusing on affordability, so that the Queen Victoria Market remains a vibrant shopping hub that is accessible to all.

A longer-term vision may even incorporate an educational hub that provides information and classes such as:

·       plant-based cooking

·       wildlife rescue and care

·       eco-friendly biodiverse crop farming practices that promote soil-health and carbon drawdown

·       the rewilding of land once dedicated to animal agriculture

·       ethically sourced plant-based food, clothing and textiles

·       how to upcycle clothes and other objects

and much more.

Our vision is large but it is entirely achievable if we, the people, demand the change we wish to see.

A plant-based QVM represents an opportunity for Melbourne to make a powerful statement to the rest of Australia and, indeed, the world that we truly are a progressive and innovative city that is working to drastically and urgently reduce our carbon footprint, to eliminate the risks of avoidable future pandemics and to consider and protect all land and aquatic beings from harm and exploitation as best we can. 

A plant-based QVM represents an opportunity for the City of Melbourne, the general public, and the location itself, to demonstrate to the rest of the world that its current model is simply no longer viable and is at odds with who we claim to be as a society and the values we hold.

A plant-based QVM represents an opportunity to lead by example, showing the rest of the world that there is a much safer, healthier and kinder way forward that is no longer a choice, but an urgent necessity.

We are literally at crisis point. From devastating bushfires across Australia, we went straight into a global pandemic, with both predicted to happen again and again.

“As long as there is poultry there will be pandemics. In the end it may be us or them.” Dr Michael Greger

Plant-based markets and living vegan will not solve all the challenges we face. However, they are an integral and most impactful part of the solution. Services such as the QVM can help lead the charge by providing Melbourne with a way of living that aims to respect and protect all life and our shared planet.

Melbourne’s iconic Queen Victoria Market must urgently transition to a world leading, innovative, delicious, violence-free, plant-based mecca. Please sign this petition to help ensure this becomes a reality.

Relevant links:
Vegan Rising occupies Queen Victoria Market – a future pandemic site
Human Supremacy and Pandemics – there is much worse to come
ABC Blueprint with Jonathan Green – understanding a global fire crisis
City of Melbourne – market precinct renewal program

“75% of new and emerging infectious diseases come from exploiting animals.” Centre for Disease Control and Prevention