Rural campaigners have expressed disappointment that Oxfordshire councilors failed to debate a motion which could have ended the vegan meals only policy at council events, owing to time constraints.
In March, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet voted to serve entirely plant-based meals at full council meetings and all civic events. Currently, there are seven meetings of full council each year – meetings for all 63 county councillors.
The call was made despite local farmers protesting outside the county hall.
Conservative councillor Yvonne Constance’s motion read: “This council notes that the leader has acknowledged the challenging market conditions faced by Oxfordshire’s excellent meat and dairy farmers.
“This council further notes that local authorities have an important duty to engage positively and proportionately in public discourse.
“Given the privileged position in which this council finds itself and the potentially damaging effects of its motion dated December 14, this council resolves to offer locally produced menus at council-catered events, including meat, dairy and vegan options, or to make alternative provisions for members, staff and attendees to facilitate personal choice.”
The Countryside Alliance, which has spearheaded opposition to the policy since March, thanked supporters for lobbying their councillors ahead of today’s meeting in support of the motion.
In a statement following the meeting, a spokesman for the Countryside Alliance said:
“Despite growing outcry from rural people against the existing anti-farming policy not to permit meat and dairy at council events, local councillors failed again to debate a motion which called for the policy to end, due to time constraints.
“From the outside looking in, it appears some local councillors would sooner avoid facing reality by discussing this unpopular existing policy in the council chamber.
“Rural people, our farmers and the people of Oxfordshire deserve better. This is about their livelihoods.
“It is essential the motion is moved to the next meeting so councillors have an opportunity to end this awful, divisive policy as quickly as possible.
“We are confident this will happen but given the strength of feeling out there, it should be prioritised on the order paper.
“We will continue to urge all councillors to scrap the policy and move to source local, sustainable, seasonal produce from local farmers including meat, dairy and plant-based products.
“This is the right way forward for Oxfordshire, our countryside and the environment.”
