Agricultural college says sorry for Veganuary food row

Bishop Burton College in East Yorkshire has apologised for introducing a vegan menu

An agricultural college has apologised after a row over plant-based meals on its campus as part of Veganuary.

Bishop Burton College, based in East Yorkshire, announced it would remove meat two days a week from one of its four restaurants.

But the decision was criticised by livestock farmers and others on social media.

Principal, Bill Meredith, said the college "apologises for the impression it gave to the wider farming community.

"As a specialist land-based college we recognise the role we have to play in supporting the industry to produce sustainable food - both livestock and crops," he added.

Slap in the face

The row broke out after Bishop Burton announced it would be running "Meat-Free Mondays" and "Wellbeing Wednesdays" for the rest of January after receiving a request from its student council.

Max Robinson, 16, is studying at the college and told the BBC: "It's a slap in the face to British farming and livestock farmers across the country.

"The college should be supporting sustainable, locally sourced British meat, particularly when a large proportion of students come from farming families."

But some comments on social media welcomed the college's campaign.

Posting on Facebook, Shannon Holgate described it as "awesome" and asked why people couldn't be "positive and proud" of British vegetables.

The college, which also has a campus at the Lincolnshire Showground, has confirmed it will now be offering plant and meat-based choices in each of its outlets in future.

Follow BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail]