Meat-free days

[citation needed] Abstention from meat, other than fish, was historically done for religious reasons (e.g. the Friday fast).

In the Methodist Church, on Fridays, especially those of Lent, "abstinence from meat one day a week is a universal act of penitence".

[3][4] Historically, Anglican and Catholic countries enforced prohibitions on eating meat, other than fish, on certain days of Lent.

In England, for example, "butchers and victuallers were bound by heavy recognizances not to slaughter or sell meat on the weekly 'fish days', Friday and Saturday.

[citation needed] In the People's Republic of Poland, meat-free days were encouraged by the government due to market forces.