[6] The ruling body from IVU is the International Council and the eight elected members who form it serve four year terms.

[10] The 6th World Vegetarian Congress held in London in 1926 featured displays of vegetarian boots as well as furs, gloves, tennis rackets and violin strings all made without any animal substances.

[11][12] There was a unanimous decision to exclude membership from any society that allowed fish consumption.

[13] The IVU also encourages regional and national organizations to run vegetarian festivals, such as the 43rd World VegFest in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, on 25 October 2015[14] and the hundreds of currently organized vegetarian festivals on many continents.

[15] In November 1999, the IVU role of president was abolished and was replaced by Chairman of the International Council.