'Farcical! The growing absurdity of councils banning meat and dairy'

FARMERS have slammed councils for taxpayer-funded “compulsory veganism”.

- By Steph Spyro Environment Editor

At least 10 local authorities have either a meat ban or have signed the plant-based treaty, an international movement which aims to promote a shift to veganism and discourage animal agriculture.

Mo Metcalf-Fisher, of the Countryside Alliance, said: “A growing absurdity, slowly taking hold of councils in the most unlikely of places, is a move towards compulsory veganism. The justification they claim, to ‘tackle climate change’ and lead by example. The policies have often been farcical.”

There is no suggestion that residents or workers at any of the local authorities would be banned from eating meat.

Harm

Oxfordshire County Council, held by the Liberal Democrats, as well as Labour-held Calderdale and Exeter Councils, committed to moving to plant-based diets in 2015, 2020 and 2022 respectively.

Camden Council, in north London, commissioned a report that concluded a 100% plant-based catering regime was “in line” with their “food mission”, according to the environmentalists Plant-Based Councils.

Under the plans, which the group expects to be formally incorporated next year, only plant-based food would be served at council-catered events and meetings.

But a counter campaign led by the Countryside Alliance has seen 10 councils reject “compulsory veganism”, and promote shopping locally and supporting UK farmers instead. Suffolk, Cornwall, Portsmouth, Fenland, Peterborough, the Highlands, Dorset, Wiltshire, Staffordshire Moorlands and Rutland have all signed up.