On 17/07/24, the Full Council of North Devon District debated a motion that would see the council switch to 100% plant-based catering for internal meetings and events as key in tackling the climate emergency [1].
The motion pushed for ingredients to be sourced locally or from food surplus organisations where possible [1].
The motion received backlash from the local farming community [2][3]. Some farmers made calls to the council and protested outside the council building demanding that councillors vote against the motion.
The hunting lobby group Countryside Alliance said that the council should instead be focussing on reducing mileage from farm to plate by encouraging local meat and dairy production [2].
This conflicts with research which shows that food type is much more significant than transport in climate footprint calculations, a key recommendation of such research being to reduce meat and dairy [4].
Ultimately, the motion was voted down by councillors [5].
Councillors at North Devon District Council have voted down a motion asking the council to serve fully plant-based food and drink at internal meetings and events and for plant-based options to be prioritised and promoted throughout the district [5]. The motion also called for the council to work with local farmers to support their move towards production of more sustainable plant-based produce.
The motion was met with backlash from local farmers who learned of it when it was publicised two days prior to the council meeting [2][3]. Some farmers made hundreds of phone calls to councillors and protested outside the council building, demanding that councillors vote against the motion.
Michaela Andrews, 28, a Plant-Based Councils campaigner was in attendance. She said:
“It’s disappointing to see councillors bow to the status quo instead of acknowledging the scientific consensus. We’re in a climate and ecological emergency, and this motion showed bold climate leadership when it comes to food. Nevertheless, I’m glad it was brought to the top of the agenda. I hope this topic returns to council debate soon and that they reconsider how seriously we need to take the future of our food system.
We want to thank our farmers and acknowledge the hard work they put into producing food, and we want to see them better supported by local and national governments. A sustainable food system is plant-based - for climate and nature, and for the longevity of farming businesses. Farmers need to be the ones driving this change, and so we’re always open to communicate and collaborate with rural communities.”
Ricky Knight, Green Party councillor and Lead Member for Climate and Biodiversity proposed the motion at the North Devon District Council Full Council meeting on 17/07/24 [1]. The motion recognised that meat and dairy contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation, and that reducing its consumption is key in tackling the climate and ecological emergencies. The motion also acknowledged the need for farmers to be appropriately supported to deal with the challenges of farming in an increasingly unstable climate and cost-of-living crisis.
In his supporting statement, Councillor Knight quoted Sir David Attenborough:
“We must change our diet: the Planet cannot support billions of meat eaters: shift away from meat and dairy to a plant-based diet and the sun’s energy goes directly to growing food, using but a quarter of the land.” [5]
Councillor Mark Haworth-Booth, Green Party councillor, seconded the motion saying the climate crisis is the great existential crisis of our age and that we need to take all measures to tackle it [5].
Local supporters of the Plant-Based Councils campaign asked that the council follow other councils around the country in promoting healthy plant-based eating as the necessary next step in climate action related to food [7]. In December 2022 Exeter City Council voted to serve only plant-based foods at council meetings and events [6]. A motion was passed at Oxfordshire County Council in 2021 to serve fully plant-based food and drink at all catered meetings and events [6]. A Norwich City Council motion passed in March 2023 called on the council to write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs supporting UK endorsement of the Plant-Based Treaty [8].
Plant-Based Councils, an Animal Rising campaign, is a national initiative of local residents who are pushing for their councils to adopt 100% plant-based catering [6]. The group claims that local authorities have a responsibility to follow the current scientific consensus, which acknowledges the environmental, health, and cost benefits of plant-based meals over those containing meat and dairy. The campaign is active in over 32 councils, with the group encouraging interested residents to sign up to run a local campaign.
ENDS.
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For more information or further comments, please contact press@plantbasedcouncils.org
NOTES TO EDITORS:
[1] North Devon proposed motion 17th July 2024: https://democracy.northdevon.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=18807
[2] https://www.farmersguardian.com/news/4336679/north-devon-council-ban-red-meat-dairy-products-instead
[5] Meeting recording: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYuqx3zDGg1O4wDEjs3AQvw/videos
[6] Oxford City motion: https://mycouncil.oxford.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=35043
Oxfordshire County Council votes to serve fully plant-based food at all council-catered events https://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/plant-based-food/
Exeter City Council votes to serve 100% plant-based food at catered meetings https://news.exeter.gov.uk/council-pledges-to-raise-awareness-of-the-benefits-of-plant-based-food/
Cambridge City Council votes to serve 100% plant-based food at catered meetings https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=5423
[7] The Plant-Based Councils campaign aims to address the climate emergency starting with the food on our plates. Working with councils across the UK to encourage them to lead the way in the switch from emission-heavy foods to plant-based ones that are better for health, our planet and reducing the impact of the cost of living crisis.
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