The sale of most red meat in the Students’ Union (SU) has been banned as part of the drive for greater sustainability by the SU Council.
The Council, the body which decides policy for the SU, approved the move on the 9th November, with 28 members voting in favour, 11 against and 1 abstaining.
The ban applies to all red meats except pork, meaning student favourites like steak and cornish pasties will eventually stop being sold by Union outlets.
Council approval means the SU is required to work towards the policy, but there’s no exact deadline for it coming into effect.
The SU’s welfare and sustainability officer, Jo Campling, argues the move is necessary due to the environmental consequences of red meat production:
“There are a vast number of studies showing the range of negative impacts that red meat has on the environment – from it taking 100 times more land to produce beef or lamb compared to a plant based caloric equivalent to emissions from livestock contributing between 12% and 18% to the global greenhouse gas emissions.”
She continued: “The university has already stopped selling all red meat and I feel that we need to follow suit to keep to the ethical and sustainable policies the Students Union holds.”
The Council’s decision was not without controversy, with the debate that preceded the vote involving a number of dissenting voices.
Chukwunwike Edozie, the Law Department’s Councillor, opposed the move and explained his reasoning in comments to Forge:
“I stand opposed to this policy not to disregard environmental action but for the principle that active change for the better should be achieved through the willingness of the people, rather than the force of a ruler which only lasts as long as those rulers do.
“For our jobs are not to dictate the people’s actions but rather to guide them in the direction of self-betterment and provide the necessary services towards this endeavour.”
The SU Council holds monthly meetings which any student can attend. Minutes for the meetings are available on the SU website.
