Protest outside Guildhall after meat goes back on menu

Former mayor Louis Stephen, the city’s first Green mayor, caused controversy in February when he stopped meat being served at gatherings in the Mayor’s Parlour.

But that decision was reversed when Lib Dem councillor Mel Allcott took on the role of mayor last month.

MAYOR: Mel Allcott was elected Mayor of Worcester last month (Image: NQ)

Supporters of Plant-Based Councils, a campaign group calling for local authorities to promote plant-based eating, protested outside last night’s (Tuesday, June 4) Environment committee meeting.

Student Helen Taylor said: “In 2019 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said reducing meat consumption is a substantial opportunity to mitigate climate change because plant-based sources of proteins produce up to 70 percent less emissions than meat.

“Worcester council has a responsibility to champion this change by showing residents that eating plant-based food can be delicious, nutritious, and cost effective.”

Craig Welsby, a ranger, said: “The council can support UK farmers by sourcing local, seasonal plant foods. Plant-based catering in the council will inspire residents to eat plant-based food themselves and demonstrate how serious this issue is.”

Cllr Allcott, who is also the Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Worcester, said: “The mayoral role is strictly a civic role and not to be used for political purpose.

MEAT BAN: Former mayor Louis Stephen (Image: Supplied)

“It appeared to me Cllr Stephen was using his civic role to push a political agenda by forcing fellow councillors to eat vegan.

“I believe in choice and my role as mayor is not to dictate to my fellow councillors what they can and cannot eat.

“Also many plant-based items are highly processed and I do not want to force highly processed food on anyone and don’t get me started on the avocado, vegan yet has a huge carbon footprint.

“On a personal level I believe in sustainable farming and eating organic and free range meat on occasion and avoiding highly processed food as much as I can."

Cllr Stephen's vegan-only menu caused headlines across the UK after it was first revealed by Worcester News.

He said at the time: "I'm mindful of the gravity of the climate emergency, and as leader I think it's right to highlight the importance of all of us doing what we can to mitigate the seriousness of the emergency, by offering plant-based food."