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

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

- By Steph Spyro

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.”

There is no suggestion residents or workers would be banned from eating meat.

Oxfordshire County Council, held by the Lib Dems, as well as Labour-held Calderdale and Exeter councils, committed to moving to plant-based diets in 2015, 2020 and 2022.

Harm

Camden Council, in 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.

Here in Scotland, Edinburgh City Council endorses the Plant Based Treaty — which aims to cut consumption of meat and dairy products — and was adopted in 2023, with Greens councillor Steve Burgess saying it would “encourage far more plant-based eating”.