Uni’s vegan move ‘bonkers’

CONTROVERSY has hit Stirling University’s Students’ Union’s decision to go 100% vegan in its 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.

Farming leaders called the move ‘bonkers’ and ‘illogical’, with strong criticism of the democratic process since fewer than 0.01% of the 17,000 students took part in the ballot.

Young Farmer and sports student at the uni, Orla Duncan, 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 UA and Caledonian Marts, where great quality of stock from Stirling and outwith are sold.

“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-yearold sports student at the uni, Grace Stirling, from Blairhall Mains, 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.

“The SU has 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 – a parent of a Stirling University student – believed 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.

The local SSS YFC posted a video on social media sites in response to the vote, 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 were to follow the SU’s decision to make 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 SU and doesn’t impact the university’s other catering options.”

A militant animal rights group behind the move, celebrated the vote. According to the Plant Based Universities campaign, which is run by Animal Rebellion – a splinter group of Extinction Rebellion – a ‘majority’ of the university’s student union body voted last week to transition to ‘100% plant-based catering by 2025’, and demanding that 50% of the transition was made sooner, by the 2023-24 academic year.

Scottish National Sheep Association chair, Peter Myles, said: “I think it’s bonkers that a small number of students can impose their will on the majority of sensible young people at a great university. It is so sad.

“The vegan diet is so unhealthy, unsustainable and damaging to the environment when it is vital our soils are refreshed by grazing animals, and as for milk, it literally just has to cross the road to the university.”

Scottish Beef Association chair, Paul Ross, said: “It is unbelievable and illogical as it is following such poor science, and brainwashed by biased media. We are living in a Scotland where diversity is so important, but you are not supposed to eat beef when at university, it’s nuts.”