LSE students vote to ban beef from campus London School of Economics could be third British university to ban beef from campus menu following vote by Students’ Union

Students at the London School of Economics voted to “ban beef” on the university campus, in a move which could pave the way for the institute becoming the third UK university to eliminate beef from its menus.

Last year Goldsmiths college, part of the University of London, removed beef from its menus as part of its efforts to become carbon neutral by 2025. The University of Cambridge also last year stopped serving beef and lamb, cutting emissions from its catering service by 10.5 per cent.

Now LSE students are lobbying for their university to follow suit. At a Students’ Union meeting on Friday students voted 243 to 170 in favour of banning beef on campus.

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It is worth noting that this is only a small proportion of the total student body, which numbers more than 11,000. Nevertheless, i understands the Union now intends to lobby the university authorities to implement the change on campus. Student Union operated shops and venues on campus will also no longer serve beef products.

LSE did not respond to a comment request on the vote, or whether it will implement the proposed ban.

Green diets

Phoebe Woodruff is LSE campus representative for animal rights charity Peta, and proposed the motion at Friday’s meeting. “It’s encouraging to see LSE take a stand to protect animals and the environment,” she said.“More students than ever are looking to limit their environmental footprint – and giving up all meat and dairy is the best and easiest way to do that.”

A major research study published last year concluded that reducing meat and dairy intake is one of the most effective change people can make to reduce their environmental footprint. But farmers have complained that banning meat products reduces choice and will hurt the British farming industry, which produces meat with a lower environmental footprint than other parts of the world.

Growing numbers in Britain – particularly young adults – are adopting vegan, vegetarian and “flexitarian” diets, with research suggesting the trend is driven by environmental concerns.

Universities across the country are responding. While only two have so far gone as far as implementing a ban on certain meat products, many are expanding their vegan and vegetarian options on their menus and opening vegan cafes on campus.

Academic institutions are also under fierce pressure to green their finances. Following student protests LSE, which has a £92m endowment, has promised to extract itself from coal and tar sands investment. Some universities have pledged to divest from all fossil fuel investments.