A VOTE on banning meat and dairy from catering at Edinburgh University has failed to get enough support to pass.
The proposed motion would have banned meat and dairy from university-run shops and cafes by 2027. However, out of 812 votes at the Student Council meeting, only 19% were in favour of the ban.
Emily Kemp, who forwarded the motion, spoke at the meeting.
In her proposal, she said: “Science indicates that there is a clear need for action in order to tackle the climate crisis. Plant-based catering would be a cost-effective way of meeting its sustainability objectives. Animal farming uses the majority of UK farmland, but contributes to less than 35%, or average calorie intake.”
The meeting then went on to question if enough engagement with the wider 42,000 students had been undertaken to ensure there was support for a meat and dairy ban.
There was also discussions about how the ban could impact different cultures on campus, particularly for the students where a meat-based diet is important.
A number of other students also asked if SRUC students could have been more involved in the motion and if animal welfare had been considered.
After the motion failed to pass, Kemp said: "This is a setback in our strive for climate justice, but not one we will allow to stop us. Going plant-based is a step that must be taken, it is only a shame that it will not happen sooner.
"If Edinburgh's students are so far unconvinced that animal agriculture is wrecking our planet and would rather take the words of those with a vested interest in concealing the truth, then we will continue to work to change that."
In 2020, students at Edinburgh rejected a similar motion to ban meat from campus menus. On that occasion, about 6000 votes were cast and 58% said no to a proposal to impose campus-wide vegetarianism in cafés and restaurants.
In November last year, Stirling became the first Scottish University to impose a plant-based menu.
