Another three councils oppose vegan trend to support UK farmers
12th April 2024
Another three councils, including the first in Scotland, have opposed the plant-based movement, showing support for local farmers.
Rutland County Council, Peterborough City Council, and Highland Council have passed motions which aim to encourage residents to shop locally when buying food, including meat, dairy, and plant-based products.
The councils have also committed to sourcing more home-grown produce at council-catered events, specifically including meat, dairy, and plant-based products.
This follows the news that Suffolk councillors passed a Conservative motion to ensure that catering at council-organised events includes meat and dairy options alongside plant-based alternatives, sourced locally where possible.
A number of councils around the UK have recently voted to ban meat and dairy items on council-catered menus and committed to transitioning to fully plant-based catering.
In passing the pro-farming motion, Highland Council, Peterborough City, and Rutland County Councils have become the eighth, ninth, and tenth councils, respectively, to defy the vegan trend.
Helping local farmers
At Highland Council, cllr Angus Macdonald said: “Britain imports 46% of our food – perhaps in the Highlands we import 70%. We don’t help our own farmers in this respect. They get grants not to have livestock. What can our council really do to help crofts and help farmers in the West? […] I urge you to support [this] motion.”
Cllr Giles Clifton said: “It is welcome news that Rutland County Council has affirmed itself to be four-square behind our farmers, growers, and food and drink sectors who all do so much for Rutland and deserve our support. I am also pleased that the council chose to support our livestock and dairy farmers in particular.”
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