Controversy has hit Stirling University's Students’ Union’s decision to go 100% vegan in their cafes by 2025 – with farmer's leaders describing the move as 'bonkers'.
Following a vote of only 127 members of the Student’s Union, 55.4% backed a plant-based campaign group’s motion to ban meat and dairy on campus. As a result, food and drink served at three cafes, will go vegan of the plan goes through.
Farming leaders called the move ‘bonkers’ and ‘illogical’, with strong criticism of the democratic process since less than 0.01% of the 17,000 students took part in the ballot.
Read more: Industry slams 'bonkers' ban on meat and dairy by Stirling students
Young Farmer and sports student, Orla Duncan, who lives at Drumheldric, Kilsyth, added: "A vote of this magnitude will have a negative impact to the local farming community, especially with there being such a large agricultural industry within the Stirling area alone.
"Across the road from the university is Graham's Dairy and less than three miles along the road is Scotbeef – both of which are family-owned and are two of the biggest employers in the area. In under 6.5 miles, you'll find both United Auctions and Caledonian Marts, where great quality of stock from Stirling and out-with are sold for food produce.
"A university which must welcome such a high number of students through their door is bound to deal in some way with each one of these businesses, whether it's for milk or meat products. Driving away from this towards a plant-based diet does not follow eating locally and supporting local and British farmers."
Farmers daughter and 19-year-old sports student at the uni, Grace Stirling, from Blairhall Mains Farm, Culross, added: "I don’t agree with the move towards 100% plant-based food within Stirling University Student's Union. We weren’t made aware that this was a decision up for debate at the November general meeting as it was not publicised very well.
"I think for a decision like this, the union should have gone above and beyond to ensure all students were aware of the motion and the potential implications it could have on them. All students are represented by the union and should have a say in matters as huge as this.
"I don’t understand how the motion was still able to pass when it was less than 100 students who voted for it and therefore making the decision for the entire 17,000 student population.
"I think the SU should have ensured that they had representation from farming students, or those against the motion to share their views. The student union have an 'Equality, diversity and inclusion' policy which aims to ensure they take these very seriously at the university. However, by going 100% plant-based, they are excluding a community of students from a farming background."
Iain Renwick, of Debog, Glespin, Lanark, is a parent of a Stirling University student and believed that the motion went against the diversity that should be offered within the campus.
"There is nothing wrong with students wanting to follow a vegan diet, but there should be choice for all students and the people that want to eat meat are now being discriminated against," he said.
"The university is surrounded by fantastic farmland and food miles couldn't be any shorter, so the union's point about being sustainable is completely contradictory considering there is talks about importing vegetables from abroad to make up the meals. In my opinion, it is crazy that a place of education is discriminating against the choices of their own students," he added.
It's not only students that are kicking up a storm about the motion. Local YFC, SSS, posted a video on its social media sites in response to the union's movement, giving support to club members who attend the university.
Club chairman, Murray Steel, said: "It is vital nowadays that people who don't come from a farming background understand where their food actually comes from and the hard work that our farmers put into producing top quality produce. As a country, we maintain the highest standards of welfare than anywhere else in the world and I don't think it's something that we as an industry advertise enough."
In response to the motion, the University was asked if they are to follow the Union’s decision in making all eating outlets 100% plant-based. A University of Stirling spokesperson said: “We are proud of the wide range of catering options we offer on campus, which includes the V-go vegan deli bar, and are committed to providing a choice on campus.
“This is a matter for the Students’ Union and doesn’t impact the university’s other catering options.”
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