The National Trust is considering a plan to make 50% of the food in its cafes vegan and vegetarian as part of its commitment to reaching net zero by 2030. The proposal will be voted on by the trust’s 2.6 million members at the annual general meeting on 2 November. However, the plan has drawn criticism from figures such as Jacob Rees-Mogg and Gareth Wyn Jones, who argue that meat and dairy consumption should not be restricted. The National Farmers’ Union president also suggested that visitors should not have culinary decisions imposed on them.
The National Trust defended its vegan scone recipe earlier this year after facing backlash for using plant-based ingredients. The charity emphasized that its cafes will continue to offer dairy, eggs, and meat while working closely with farmers. The trust aims to make half of its menu plant-based in the next two years to accommodate changing preferences and promote sustainability. It cited David Attenborough’s support for a majority plant-based food system as a way to increase biodiversity and reduce carbon emissions.
The push for more plant-based options is in line with a growing trend of reducing meat consumption for environmental reasons. A recent survey found that nearly half of British adults were cutting down on meat intake. Universities and vegan organizations are also advocating for more plant-based menus, with establishments like Cambridge University and the world’s largest vegan charity Viva! pushing for at least 50% plant-based options in all restaurants by next year.
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