How we are fighting back against councils banning meat and dairy

The Alliance is fighting back against councils banning meat and dairy and instead, championing local sourcing and freedom of choice, writes Mo Metcalf-Fisher.

In the last few years, farmers and country folk alike have looked on in horror as a number of local councils have adopted anti-livestock farming motions. Oxfordshire, Enfield, Cambridgeshire, Edinburgh, Norwich, and Haywards Heath have all either banned meat or dairy items from council catering or voted to adopt the ‘Plant Based Treaty’, which calls for an end to livestock farming.

These motions, that when passed become official council policy, represent not only an attack on the very concept of freedom of choice, but council-approved demonisation of our custodians who work hard to deliver sustainable produce while enhancing and maintaining the countryside we know and love.  

The Countryside Alliance has, however, spearheaded a fightback, which continues to go from strength to strength.

Cornwall Council became the first local authority to adopt a counter motion put forward by Cllr Nick Craker (Conservative), drafted in part by the Alliance, which encourages the council to source food from local growers and farmers, including meat and dairy. Crucially, Cornwall Council committed to using its far-reaching platform to encourage the Cornish public to, where possible, shop locally, supporting seasonal, sustainable produce. This is in contrast to Oxfordshire County Council, which has used taxpayer funds to build a website that encourages the public to adopt vegan diets, citing global emissions statistics to justify its call. Nick Craker’s motion fortunately received unanimous support and laid the foundations for other councils to follow.

The following month, North Northamptonshire voted for a similar motion, thanks to the efforts of Cllr Scott Brown (Conservative). On 19 October, Suffolk County Council followed, adding in its motion that meat and dairy would ‘always be available’ at its catered events. While the motion, introduced by Cllr Richard Rout (Conservative) passed overwhelmingly, sadly, three Green Party councillors abstained.

In November, thanks to the efforts of Cllr Benedict Swann, Portsmouth became the first city to vote in support of a motion to support local farmers and recognise their contributions to sustainability. The motion was unanimously voted through by the city’s 42 councillors and will ensure that all catering at council-organised events is sourced from local producers, specifically including meat, seafood, and dairy options, alongside plant-based produce. 

In December, Fenland District Council in Cambridgeshire voted for the same motion as Suffolk,  introduced by Cllr Steve Taylor. The move came after Cambridge City Council pledged to move towards "fully plant-based catering for future council meetings where food is served” back in May 2022.

Shortly after, Dorset councillors passed a motion introduced by Conservative Byron Quayle, ensuring that all catering at council-organised events is sourced from local producers, specifically including meat and dairy options, alongside plant-based produce. Despite opposition from some Green and Labour councillors, the motion passed successfully.

Local Alliance members have played a key role in each of the motions by rallying support of their councillors through sending hundreds of emails and letters to their respective representatives. Crucially, each motion has attracted cross-party political support and helped build a growing consensus against the lunacy seen at councils elsewhere.

The Alliance is now in talks with a number of councillors in other areas, with the aim of seeing our fightback motion adopted across the country. We see these motions as crucial in fulfilling our mission to always stand up for the countryside and the rural way of life in the face of attacks and misinformation.