Lancaster University denies claims campus will transition to plant-based catering by 2027
‘We confirmed there were no plans to ban meat and dairy on campus at Lancaster’
Lancaster University has rebuffed rumours that it’s planning to enforce a meat free campus by 2027/
In a recent X post, it had to deny the claims after a user of the site alleged that the university is aiming to create a meat free campus by 2027.
Lancaster refuted the accusation, saying it has “no plans to ban meat and dairy on campus at Lancaster.”
The user, whose account name is under Debbie Laughton, wrote a comment, saying: “Apparently, Lancaster University is enforcing a Meat Free campus by 2027! Lefties push their values onto us and clutch their pearls in horror when they thing we’re going it to them!”
Apparently, Lancaster University is enforcing a Meat Free campus by 2027! Lefties push their values onto us and clutch their pearls in horror when they think we’re going it to them! @LancasterUni
— Debbie Laughton (@DebLaughton) September 9, 2024
Debbie added a further comments to the post.
She said: “Been told students with meal plan at Lancaster University basically get vouchers for their fast food on campus! They want to be a green campus where pupils can’t drive/park their car yet they line up with vouchers to buy their coffee with disposable cups at Costa Coffee on campus. All makes sense when you’re Woke!”
Been told students w/meal plan at Lancaster University basically get vouchers for their fast food (junk food) on campus! They want to be a green campus where pupils can’t drive/park their car yet they line up w/vouchers to buy their coffee w/disposable cups at Costa Coffee on…
— Debbie Laughton (@DebLaughton) September 10, 2024
However, the university has responded to the comments rejecting these claims.
The comment said: “Hi. There was some misleading media coverage following a Students’ Union vote on food earlier this year. We confirmed there were no plans to ban meat and dairy on campus at Lancaster, and put together some information here to clear things up. We hope this helps.”
The university linked a news story from May 2024. At this time, a vote had taken place at a Students’ Union Assembly relating to a campaign by Plant Based Universities.
During the vote, 18 out of 19 members voted for the University to transition their catering to be fully plant-based by 2027.
At the time, many people believed that this meant these plans would immediately begin.
However, the university soon clarified that this was a proposal brought forward in the meeting, and it had not yet been agreed upon by Lancaster.
“This vote means the Students’ Union is committed only to lobbying the university,” a spokesperson said.
They added that a decision of this nature “is not within LUSU powers to decide.”
Additionally, the university confirmed that any changes towards plant-based catering would not “affect the private commercial food outlets on campus.”
Whilst nothing has yet been agreed, LUSU will be looking at the suggested proposal for a plant-based campus in more detail and Lancaster University have said that university staff will work “closely” with the Students’ Union on this.
“Details of those plans will be shared with staff and students as and when they are made,” the university added.
In a statement to The Lancaster Tab, Lancaster University said: “There are no plans for Lancaster University campus to go meat free. Students and staff have a wide choice of food here at Lancaster from our own catering outlets to visiting markets and other commercial food outlets.
“As a university, we are committed to sustainability and Net Zero by 2035. As part of this, regular feedback sessions are conducted with students around food choices. These have shown, more than anything, that students prefer to have choice.”
The university also provided The Tab with links to further information from both the Students’ Union and the university on the topic.