Dorset and Fenland councils back meat and dairy on menus
© Tim Scrivener Two more councils have joined the growing list that are bucking the vegan trend and voting through resolutions to source food locally for council-organised events, including meat and dairy options, alongside plant-based produce.
Dorset Council became the latest local authority to support such choices on Thursday (14 December), with 48 councillors voting for a motion from Conservative Byron Quayle, encouraging residents to “shop local”, and to “take advantage of home-grown, affordable, and nutritious” produce, including meat and dairy.
Earlier in the week, Fenland District Council in Cambridgeshire voted unanimously for a similar motion, receiving cross-party support.
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The Countryside Alliance, which has been campaigning to get more councils to support local farmers and block bans on meat and dairy, described the decisions as “a victory for common sense”.
Mo Metcalf-Fisher, Countryside Alliance director of external affairs, said: “This is a fantastic result. Dorset has a proud farming heritage and that has now been officially recognised.
“With Dorset joining Cornwall in supporting this important motion, the South West is truly leading the way and sending a strong message to councils across the country.”
Growing list
Dorset and Fenland District have now joined Suffolk, Cornwall, and North Northamptonshire councils, who have all voted to keep meat and dairy on their menus.
This is in contrast to Oxfordshire Council and the London Borough of Enfield, which have previously banned meat and dairy products at their events, while pushing the public to adopt plant-based diets.
Three other councils, Edinburgh City Council, Norwich City Council and Haywards Heath Town Council in Sussex, have also signed up to the “Plant-Based Treaty”, which calls for an end to the construction of any future livestock farms, and pushes plant-based food in schools and hospitals.
Cambridge City Council will transition to fully plant-based catering for council meetings by 2026.