North Devon Council rejects motion to ban meat and dairy

North Devon Council discussed the motion at a meeting on Wednesday, July 17, with farmers reportedly protesting against the proposals outside the venue. 

The motion also suggested that the council work with farmers to support their move towards production of more sustainable plant-based produce. 

Following discussion and voting, there were 34 votes cast against the motion and only two in support. 

Councillors in Devon will debate a motion proposed by the Greens to ban meat & dairy. The motion is virtue signalling and the council should instead focus on supporting local farmers who are the backbone of the local economy, environment, and rural communities. Share if you agree pic.twitter.com/HIkJAkJd06

— James Wright (@JPBWFarm) July 16, 2024

The Countryside Alliance has been leading a campaign urging councils to reject plant-based menus, and instead choose menus with locally sourced produce. 

Mo Metcalf-Fisher, the Countryside Alliance’s external affairs director, said: “I am incredibly pleased to hear this motion has been beaten. I would like to thank all Countryside Alliance members and supporters who took the time to write to their local councillors, and to those local councillors who sided with our farmers, common sense, and freedom of choice.

“There is never any justification for banning meat and dairy, and I hope the Green Party reflects on their failure last night and opts to stand with the countryside going forward.”

James Wright, South West Chair of the Conservative Rural Forum and UK Country Manager at Breedr, said it was 'fantastic' that the motion to ban meat and dairy was defeated. 

He wrote on Twitter: "Fantastic that after a campaign from local farmers and North Devon Conservatives, the motion to ban meat and dairy was defeated.

"Thank you to everyone who shared the message that we need sustainable mixed farming in rural Devon to protect our food security, economy and way of life."