Cambridge University‘s student union has scrapped a controversial campaign for all catering services to become 100 percent vegan to focus on issues that are ‘important’.
A motion passed by the union in 2023 advocated for a transition to an all-vegan menu in university cafes and canteens, and was supported by 72 percent of voting members.
It followed a campaign by the Plant Based Universities lobby group, an offshoot of climate group Extinction Rebellion.
At a meeting of the SU this week, members declined to renew the pledge and admitted there are more ‘important’ issues it should be working on.
The council will now campaign for a 75 percent vegan menu to be initiated instead – although ultimately the food served in university buildings is a matter for the university itself to decide.
It was claimed at the meeting that the SU should focus on ‘what is important to work on’ and blamed a ‘change in circumstances’, student newspaper Varsity reports.
It is not thought that previous policies, such as removing beef and lamb from dining halls, will be reversed.
The policy had previously been criticised by members of the university’s disability campaign, who urged food provision to be as ‘broad as possible’.
Cambridge University ‘s student union has scrapped a controversial campaign for all catering services to become 100 percent vegan to focus on issues that are ‘important’
Students had raised concerns about those with diets restricted by allergies, as well as students with autism and eating disorders, who may have been impacted by the changes.
The policy does not apply to Cambridge’s 31 colleges, who all decide their own food menus individually.
Many colleges have already taken steps to limit meat consumption such as by having regular meat-free days.
Magdalene College has gone one step further, and now only serves red meat once a week.
Other colleges such as St John’s have introduced a surcharge on red meat, or advertise meat options below vegan meals.
The university’s annual May Balls have also gotten behind the trend, with Darwin College’s event offering only plant-based food in 2022.
Cambridge SU and Plant Based Cambridge have been contacted for comment.
