Countryside Alliance demands Tameside council drops vegan promotion

Tameside Council has come under fire for allegedly promoting veganism.

The Countryside Alliance (CA) has urged the council to drop its support for Veganuary and, instead, support freedom of choice and local farmers. This comes after the council issued a media release saying: "Think Green and sign up to join Veganuary with the aim to support the environment and improve your health and wellbeing."

Tameside Council has denied this is an endorsement of veganism and explained it was offering the option of a common New Year’s resolution.

The release, which was a point of controversy for the CA, claimed that a plant-based diet will reduce large amounts of air, soil and water pollution, and cut the need to use the great number of natural resources that it takes to provide meat and fish to the population. The Countryside Alliance say these ‘simplistic claims’ not only mislead residents, but pose an attack to British farmers altogether.

In the Veganuary release, issued on January 4, Tameside Council executive member for Climate Emergency & Environmental Services, Cllr Denise Ward said: “It is crucial that as a consumer we do what we can to help support the environment, as it’s said that it is the single most effective contribution an individual can make to protect the planet. So, we are encouraging everyone to make the switch for the month or to try and make greener choices where they can.”

Tameside Council executive member for population health and wellbeing, Cllr Eleanor Wills, added: “Veganuary is a wonderful opportunity for residents to improve their health and wellbeing, and with it just being for the month of January, it’s a chance to experiment with healthy foods and recipes to develop your skills in the kitchen!”

However, the CA pointed out that critics argue the claims rely on global statistics about emissions from livestock farming, which ignore the nuances of UK-specific food production. They say that British meat, thanks to the efficiency of farmers, is among the most sustainable in the world.

Sabina Roberts, external affairs officer at the Countryside Alliance, said: “British farmers are part of the solution to climate change, not part of the problem. The UK agricultural sector is pioneering regenerative farming techniques that reduce emissions and increase biodiversity. 

“It is disappointing to see a council ignore these efforts and regurgitate lazy claims”.

“Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council should be using its platform to promote the excellent meat, dairy, and vegetable produce of the North West region, rather than spreading tenuous claims about the benefits of plant-based diets or encouraging any one diet for its residents.”

Nationally, the Countryside Alliance has been leading a ‘rural fightback’, encouraging councils to commit to supporting local farmers and sourcing locally- produced meat and dairy at their events.

Dorset, Fenland, Porsmouth, Suffolk, Cornwall, and North Northamptonshire Councils have already voted in favour of the Alliance’s motion – defying other councils around the country which have enforced compulsory veganism at their events and signed up to a ‘Plant-Based Treaty’ that calls for an end to the construction of any future livestock farm.

In response to the criticism, a Tameside Council spokesperson said: “Unfortunately the Countryside Alliance have misrepresented our message and have misquoted Cllr Ward and so we have contacted them with a request to update their media release.

“What Cllr Ward said in her statement was that ‘it is crucial that as a consumer we do what we can to help support the environment, as it’s said that it is the single most effective contribution an individual can make to protect the planet’. So what she is saying is people can make the biggest difference by considering their choices and doing what they can to help support the environment.

“We are not urging people to ‘go vegan’, as claimed in the Countryside Alliance’s media release, but we are encouraging people to be more conscious of the impact of their choices on their health as well as the environment and Veganuary is just one opportunity for people to explore different opportunities to do this. 

“We’re highlighting that one thing people can try is eating plant based foods for a month but this is just a suggestion of something to try, just like we support other campaigns which may encourage people to consider active travel and sometimes try walking or cycling for some of their journeys to help support their health and the environment.”