Warwick Students' Union backtracks on vegan pledge to cut red meat and dairy diets

A Students' Union in Warwick has announced it will no longer be implementing a 100% vegan-based diet after citing 'financial challenges' in the transition from red meat and dairy food.

Making the announcement on Thursday (August 29), the Countryside Alliance said Warwick Students' Union (WSU) has confirmed it will no longer enforce a fully plant-based catering service at the University by the 2027-28 academic calendar year.

Back in November, the Students' Union had voted for an amendment which had rejected dairy and red meat products on catering services at the educational facility which had gained support from the likes of Dale Vince and Chris Packham. 

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However, WSU has now u-turned on the decision after stating the challenges it would face in making the adjustment, while reflecting on the need to be 'considerate of the diverse needs of our student community'.

The Union also said it had to be 'realistic about the changes' it made, and addressed the 'significant transition' associated with the move alongside the 'financial challenges' of undertaking the measure.

"Earlier this academic year, we received a motion calling for the WSU to transition to plant-based food offerings to tackle the climate crisis," a spokesperson said. 

"Our starting point is a tricky one – which is why we need to be realistic about the changes we make.  

"The hospitality sector is facing significant challenges at the moment: supplying our outlets with ingredients and products (as well as electricity and staff to take such good care of them) is becoming more and more expensive, and we are working hard to not pass those price hikes onto students.

"As an SU, we endorse and strive to reflect the campaign's dedication to promoting sustainability, environmental stewardship, and the well-being of our student body. 

"While we have ratified the initial resolve to support the PBU campaign and encourage our officers to advocate for its implementation at the university level, we acknowledge that we did not ratify the commitment to transition to 100% plant-based offerings by 2027.

"This decision stems from a careful consideration of the practical and financial challenges associated with such a significant transition, and our responsibility to be financially sustainable and considerate of the diverse needs of our student community." 

However, WSU said it remained committed to the plant-based campaign.

"Against this backdrop, our support for the PBU campaign's principles remains steadfast, and we aim to work towards meaningful changes at Warwick within feasible timelines," WSU added.

"This will include a number of measures to support this transition, including prominently displaying carbon footprints on our menus, ensuring plant-based milk equity in our outlets, integrating affordable, nutritious and appealing plant-based options into existing menus, and ensuring that these choices are accessible to all students. 

"Through the Sustainable Student Unions' coalition (SSU), we will be working towards targets promoting sustainable agriculture through our catering tenders, as well as promoting plant-based options to aid the diet shift approach.

"Within this, we will be looking to improve our plant-based options, with a collaborative joined up student education campaign to promote more plant-based and low carbon eating. 

"Furthermore, we pledge to regularly revisit our transition timelines and maintain open communication with the student body and the plant-based Warwick campaigners through consistent and transparent meetings.

"This ongoing dialogue will ensure that our approach remains responsive to student needs and feedback. 

"Our commitment to supporting the PBU campaign and our work through SSU is grounded in our belief that collective action can lead to significant positive change.

"By working together, we can contribute to a more ecological and environmentally just future."

Mo Metcalf-Fisher, director of external affairs at the Countryside Alliance, said common sense had prevailed.

"Despite a big song and dance about it last year, WSU have now ditched plans to take meat and dairy off outlet menus because it is not financially sustainable," he added.

"The Countryside Alliance had urged students who care about British farming and freedom of choice to fight back and push for another vote.

"The motion's proponents had 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."

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