University students' union votes to go vegan

Warwick students campaigned for weeks to encourage others to sign up to plant-based menus

University students have voted for union-run catering outlets to go vegan.

Three establishments at the University of Warwick are now required to adopt fully plant-based menus by 2027.

The students' union is the eighth in the UK to vote through a motion to ditch meat and dairy.

Vegan and vegetarian society president Vivek Venkatram said he was excited to work with catering teams on "affordable, nutritious and delicious" options.

Vivek Venkatram said the motion had passed with "huge backing"

A total of 1,472 students voted in the motion, titled "plant-based Warwick to tackle the climate crisis: for a just transition", with 52% opting for the change.

The vote followed Animal Rising's Plant-based Universities campaign, which is pushing for more sustainable catering in higher education.

The union will now adopt 50% plant-based catering by the next academic year, and students hope to also influence externally-run outlets on the Coventry-based campus.

Stirling University students' union was the first in the UK to ban meat and dairy last November.

However, some universities have rejected similar motions.

Food awareness organisation ProVeg UK said Warwick's move was a "huge stride in the right direction" made by young people "taking responsibility through their food choices".

"It’s a movement that is gathering pace fast across the education sector, not just universities but schools too, and it’s a privilege to support it,” added director Jimmy Pierson.