ANIMAL-BASED food, such as dairy and honey, could be scrapped from the menu at Edinburgh University by 2027.

Some 42,000 students will be able to vote this Thursday, March 30, on whether to serve only plant-based food in canteens and bars run by the students’ association.

The proposed move has been described as 'divisive and misguided'.

In November, Stirling became the first Scottish university to impose a plant-based menu.

A motion put to the student council will be debated on Thursday, which details that the ban would boost inclusivity and sustainability.

READ MORE: City of Edinburgh Council changes its policy for meat on menus

Emily Kemp, who put forward the motion, said: “Animal agriculture produces more emissions than the entire transport industry.

"University of Edinburgh is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2040: this is neither soon enough nor doable whilst animal products are still being served”.

“A plant-based diet is always culturally inclusive, being halal, kosher, and nutritionally adequate, and revamping the menus would provide an opportunity to better accommodate a wider range of dietary requirements”.

In 2020, students at Edinburgh rejected a similar motion to ban meat from campus menus.

On that occasion, about 6000 votes were cast and 58% said no to a proposal to impose campus-wide vegetarianism in cafés and restaurants

If backed by the majority of students, the newly proposed scheme would see menus becoming 50% vegan by 2025 and meat and dairy totally removed by 2027.

Discussing the plan, the Scottish Countryside Alliance said any ban on animal-based products was 'illogical and illiberal'.

Scottish Countryside Alliance director, Jake Swindells, said: “Knowing where your food comes from and how it is produced is far more important than whether it is animal or vegetable.

"Imposing a ban on meat and dairy would be unnecessarily divisive, an attack on freedom of choice and counterproductive.

"Edinburgh University should instead opt for sourcing local produce, cutting the distance travelled from supplier to plate and not discriminate based on dietary preference.

"We hope as many students as possible turn out to vote against this motion”.

Also this week, British food campaigners have criticised Oxford City Council's vote to ban meat and dairy at all council catered events as 'less is more, but none is wrong'.

Following the council’s unanimous vote in favour of providing only plant-based options, Love British Food has said that zero meat and dairy consumption was a 'slap in the face to Oxfordshire farmers'.

The group, which campaigns for British food to be given more prominence, said the council should instead be encouraging local and regional supply chains.

READ MORE: Edinburgh Plant Based Treaty and farming in Scotland

Oxford City Council's decision is the latest in a series of moves by some local authorities to ‘transition’ to plant-based options at events.

It follows Cambridge, Norwich and Edinburgh in adopting parts of the Plant-Based Councils campaign’s demands.

But Love British Food said councils should be celebrating British farmers and the food they produce and "not devising measures to put them out of business".

"Their decision sets a dangerous precedent for other councils and most importantly for impressionable young and for elderly who need the nutritious values that meat and dairy provide," Love British Food said.