Bournemouth vegans demand council axe meat and dairy

Activists told councillors that cutting out meat and dairy products from diets would signal a commitment from the authority to take action on climate change. 

Business owner Helen Winter, 49, said it is “not about taking away personal choice” by taking away the choice for meat and said plant-based food is “delicious, healthy and for everyone”.  

“BCP could join other councils such as Oxfordshire, Cambridge, Exeter and Norwich who have led the way in this initiative and signalled their commitment on taking action on the climate crisis,” she said.  

Bournemouth activist Daniel Glennon, 52, was also at the meeting (Image: Extinction Rebellion)

Daniel Glennon, 52 said the council should “ban all advertising on meat and dairy products”, such as the ban on alcohol and gambling advertising. 

The customer service trainer from Bournemouth also called on the council to use its communications department to “promote the benefits of a plant-based diet to BCP residents”. 

Nicola Harris, communications director of Plant Based Treaty from Poole, told the July 23 council meeting: “What we eat matters more than how far it has travelled because food miles account for just a tiny proportion of emissions. 

“For example, UK meat and dairy emissions accounts for around 50 per cent of our methane emissions and scientists agree that we must cut it by 45 per cent.” 

Sarah Ward, a children’s rights manager from Poole, added: “Adopting a plant-based diet is one of the easiest ways we can all reduce our environmental impact. 

“It makes sense for BCP Council to help to normalise and promote a plant-based diet to local residents as a way to achieve their climate goals.” 

Meanwhile, Colin Middleton said events across the conurbation should serve vegan and vegetarian food to “promote inclusivity and sustainability”. 

Council leader Millie Earl (Image: BCP Council)

Council leader Millie Earl said the council should “promote and encourage rather than mandate plant-based challenge”. 

She added the council prefers to “work with the community” and not to “impose veganism”. 

“We welcome the challenge and will look into the implications of prioritising climate friendly advertising on assets we own and utilising the council’s communication channels to promote the benefits of a low meat and dairy/plant-based diet to residents in the climate–related messaging,” Cllr Earl added. 

“We will need to explore the current methods of climate labelling and its effectiveness before considering promoting it in schools and using it in our own catering menu. 

“On serving 100 per cent plant-based foods at internal meetings and events, any councillor in this chamber is welcome to bring a motion and I would welcome further debate on this matter.” 

Meanwhile the Countryside Alliance, which campaigns to promote British farming, said the “vast bulk” of the British public enjoys eating meat and warned the council should not discriminate. 

Last year, Dorset Council opposed calls to adopt plant-based menus by passing a motion to support produce from local farmers. 

And last August, BCP Council made a u-turn on only serving vegetarian food at its £2.4m environmental hub on Durley Chine after furious diners demanded meat on the menu.