Warwick Student Union decision to ban meat and dairy criticised after ‘tiny minority’ vote to impose vegan catering

The Countryside Alliance has called for action in response to Warwick University’s recent move to ban meat and dairy products from its Student Union catering, after it was voted through by a tiny minority of students.

The motion, pushed by the campaigning group ‘Plant-Based Organisations’, narrowly passed earlier this month in a student-held vote. 774 students voted in favour of the motion, while 518 voted against and 180 students abstained.

Vivek Venkatram, Plant-Based Universities Warwick Campaigner and President of Warwick’s Vegetarian and Vegan Society touted the alleged widespread support of the motion and said: “We want this change to benefit everyone.”

Yet, the decision to force a vegan diet upon Warwick’s 28,621  students was made by only 2.7% of the student body, raising questions about whether the change was made with the interests of the wider student population in mind.

The Countryside Alliance is urging students who care about British farming and freedom of choice to fight back and push for another vote. In doing so, Warwick could join Edinburgh University, which rejected a motion to mandate plant-based menus at Student Association venues this year. In 2019, the University of East Anglia voted to overturn a previous decision to switch to all-vegan catering at its SU outlets after a vote was held by its wider student body.

Sabina Roberts, a spokeswoman for the Countryside Alliance, said:

“Student Unions are meant to be welcoming, accessible environments for all students. All students should be able to study, socialise, and relax at their union, regardless of dietary preference.”

She added:

“Students shouldn’t let such a small cohort get away with isolating the wider student population. Vegan campaigners are welcome to present their arguments in favour of plant-based diets, but should not impose a diet in university-affiliated buildings. Students should take on their democratic duty and place forward a counter-motion that keeps meat on the menu.” 

The motion’s proponents pushed the idea that plant-based diets were the only way to meet sustainability targets. However, data suggests that British meat is amongst the most sustainable in the world. Farmers contribute to sustainability goals through regenerative farming techniques and the production of renewable energy.

Reducing food miles is a far more effective way of countering emissions through food production and the Countryside Alliance has been leading the ‘Rural Fightback’ campaign around the nation, urging councils to commit to sourcing locally produced meat, dairy, and vegetable products at their events, in a bid to resist calls to go vegan. 

Cornwall, North Northamptonshire, Portsmouth and Suffolk councils have all voted to keep meat and dairy on their menus, while committing to use their platforms to encourage people to shop locally, supporting farmers and growers.

Last week, students at Cardiff University voted to reject a motion that would have seen all union catering outlets go 100% plant-based by the 2026-27 academic year.