The Countryside Alliance has hit out at Prime Minister Keir Starmer's local council, after it was revealed that it was considering going vegan, following pressure from anti-meat campaigners.
Camden council commissioned a report which came to the conclusion that an entirely plant-based catering policy would be "in line" with their "food mission".
The plans, which are expected to be fully brought in next year, would see council-catered meetings and events serving vegan food only.
Plant Based Councils, an anti-meat and dairy campaigning group, stated that the report was “a historic win for climate action, public health and the community”.
The group identifies Camden Council as the third London borough to make the move, following the boroughs of Lewisham and Hackney.
Plant Based Councils also take credit for Calderdale Council, Oxfordshire County Council and Exeter City Council all going entirely vegan.
A leading member of the group, Kush Naker, stated: “this policy isn’t about telling individuals what to eat. It’s about ensuring that our public institutions reflect the urgent need to shift toward sustainable, inclusive, and compassionate food systems”.
However, the Countryside Alliance have denounced the move, advocating for freedom of choice and support for British farmers.
Mo Metcalf-Fisher, Director of External Affairs, commented that Camden Council “should instead be supporting British farmers who produce some of the most sustainable food in the world, regardless of whether it’s meat, dairy or vegetables.”
Mr Metcalf-Fisher also argued that were “questions for the local MP and leader of the Labour Party, Keir Starmer, who should clarify whether more Labour councils will be going vegan”.
The Countryside Alliance have been leading a campaign encouraging councils to reject compulsory veganism and instead prioritise the procurement of local food and the support of farmers in the UK.
Ten councils so far have signed up to the campaign, with Suffolk, Cornwall, Portsmouth, Fenland, Peterborough, the Highlands, Dorset, Wiltshire, Staffordshire Moorlands and Rutland all passing motions in support.
Meanwhile, there has been chaos in some of the vegan councils.
Oxfordshire County Council was recently caught up in a hypocrisy scandal, after it was revealed that they had been serving imported oranges and bananas at their events, despite telling others to reduce their “food miles”.
The future of the council’s plant-based policy now seems in doubt.
One councillor stated that “meals have not been sourced locally, and do not promote sustainability or wholly reflect the policies set out in the food strategy which the council endorses”. The council leader has subsequently called for a review of the current arrangements.
The Countryside Alliance will continue to campaign for freedom of choice for consumer, local food procurement, and support for British Farmers.