Portsmouth City Council to vote next week on whether to ban Vegan plant-only ... trends now
A city council is gearing up to become the latest to join the war against vegan plant-only meals at civic parties by keeping meat squarely on the menu.
Portsmouth City Council is set to vote on a motion to keep serving meat and dairy products at all its official events, next week, in a clear boast for local farming.
The plan has been tabled by local Conservatives, who say they want to 'fly the flag' and 'represent everyone' by ensuring it is 'always' served at city functions.
It comes as hardline vegan activists continue to be successful in getting a number of councils to get bin meat and dairy from their functions, in a move that's ignited fury among rural communities whose livelihoods depend on them.
If councillors in Portsmouth back the motion, the city will become the latest to rail against vegan campaigners, joining the likes of councils in Suffolk, North Northamptonshire and Cornwall who have already defied the trend.
Councillors in Portsmouth are set to vote whether or not to keep menu on the menu at the council (pictured: Portsmouth Harbour with the Spinnaker Tower)
A number of councils have scrapped meals that contain meat and dairy from their menus
Councillor Benedict Swann, who proposed the motion, said: 'Our county and region plays a huge role in producing sustainable food and it's high time we recognised that as a council and do everything we can to help them.
'When other councils have voted through divisive, illogical bans on meat and dairy, Portsmouth must stand with those on the side of farmers, growers, fisherman and freedom of choice and that is what my motion sets out to do. I hope every councillor, regardless of political affiliation, votes in support.'
Councillor Benedict Swann, proposed the motion at Portsmouth City Council
The proposal seeks to 'always' offer meat and diary options, alongside plant-based food, from 'local suppliers'.
In addition, the motion would also commit the authority to encouraging city residents to shop locally and back home-grown produce.
And it would urge the council give local farmers the chance to display nd sell product close to the city's booming cruise terminal to 'champion our fantastic local produce to visitors'.
'This is about championing everything and flying the flag for people,' Cllr Swann told MailOnline. 'Everyone needs to be represented, you can’t take one particular stance on it. We can’t just say “yes, we going to take a very narrow view of that argument”. We have to represent everyone living in the city.'
The idea has been praised by the Countryside Alliance, which said farmers and people living in their communities are keen for support.
Mo Metcalf-Fisher, a spokesperson
