Animal rights organisation Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has praised Nottingham City Council after it announced it will follow Oxfordshire and serve only plant-based food and drink at internal meetings from the end of September.

The change was confirmed at a full council meeting on Monday following a question from a local resident.

According to council papers, the question submitted in advance of the meeting said other local authorities such as Oxfordshire County Council, Exeter City Council and Cambridge City Council had adopted similar policies.

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The resident urged Nottingham “to do the same”, arguing “meat and dairy are major contributors to the climate and ecological emergencies”.

Jeremy Clarkson outside the meeting where vegan plans were approved (Image: Tom Seaward) Oxfordshire County Council approved plans to serve vegan-only meals at council meetings, as well as adding vegan options to council-run primary school menus, in March 2022.

The first vegan meals were served to all 63 county councillors at the full meeting that April and cost £170 more.

Figures obtained in a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, by Countryside Alliance, showed than in February 2022 the council lunch cost £581.23, but rose to £749.52 in April.

In September, the full council lunch cost £727, and £712.50 in November.

A council spokesperson said the September and November meetings were not solely plant-based food which meant the food did not prove to be significantly more expensive.

The February meeting was also exceptional as it was a packed lunch which has no labour cost.

Local farmers - including Clarkson's Farm star Jeremy Clarkson - protested outside the meeting, claiming it sent a "dangerous message to consumers" and the move to vegan-only food meant fewer people would consume local produce.

In response to Nottingham City Council's decision, Dawn Carr, Peta’s vice president of vegan corporate project, told the PA news agency: “Nottingham City Council is fighting climate change with diet change, and Peta is delighted to see councillors taking action for animals while looking after their own health too.

“Peta applauds the authority for shining a green light on the benefits of eating vegan and hopes others will follow its compassionate lead.”

However, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), which represents agricultural workers across England and Wales, criticised the policy change.

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NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: “What we eat is a personal choice and not something which is imposed.

"Decisions should be made in an informed way taking into consideration the nutritional, environmental and biodiversity benefits that eating a balanced diet, including meat and dairy, provides.

“We engage regularly with local councils and others about the importance of supporting local supply chains and the vital role farmers play at the heart of our rural communities.

“We have also organised seminars with a range of food service providers including with local authorities to discuss the benefits of meat and dairy to diets.”

Nottingham City Council has been contacted for comment.