FARMERS across the south west have been out in force at meetings this month - as councils debated a motion to ban meat and dairy. 

Devon farmers headed to North Devon Council's meeting on July 17, where the motion was voted against by 34 votes against, and two for. 

And last Thursday, Gloucestershire farmers turned up at a meeting with councillors in the Forest of Dean, where the motion was debated for an hour. 

Around 40 farmers attended, and several amendments were made to the motion and the council agreed it will encourage the general public to eat a balanced and varied diet of food, a lot of which is produced by local farmers. 

The NFU said they were pleased to see local farmers attend these meetings and reinforce the importance of farming in their communities. 

NFU Devon deputy chair David Chugg, who attended the North Devon council meeting, said: “Valuable discussions have led to results where the councils and farming communities can work together in keeping the nation fed with sustainable, traceable and high-quality food.

“I am pleased that meat and dairy products will not be banned from future council events and we look forward to working with local authorities to ensure a positive future for our countryside.

“Food and farming are an integral part of life here in Devon and we are proud to produce local, great tasting food that helps to feed the entire country.

“This is a positive step forward for the relationship between North Devon Council and our hard-working farming community, but we also recognise the importance of working with other councils to ensure farmers across the region are supported.”

Farmers at the Forest of Dean meeting.Farmers at the Forest of Dean meeting. (Image: NFU)

NFU Gloucestershire chair Charles Day attended the Forest of Dean Council meeting.

He added: “The amended motion is a lot more positive for the farmers who were in attendance.

“To see so many farmers at the meeting with only 24 hours’ notice beforehand shows just how passionate they are about farming in the Forest of Dean district.

“By attending the meeting, we showed we are willing to engage with the council and work with them to preserve this vital way of life which benefits residents with sustainable, high-quality food as well as jobs and stewardship of the environment.

“I’d like to extend my thanks to all the farmers who came to the meeting and to Councillor Philip Burford for working hard on this motion as well as NFU Cinderford group secretary Anthony Richardson for encouraging so many farmers to go along.”