Gloucestershire Council's Vegan Alternative Campaign Faces Backlash from Rural Campaigners

In an attempt to reduce carbon footprints, Gloucestershire Council has initiated the 'Swaps in Seconds' campaign, advocating for small lifestyle changes like substituting cow's milk with vegan options such as oat or almond milk. Councillor David Gray, who spearheads the campaign, emphasized that dairy is a major producer of methane, suggesting occasional switches to alternatives to mitigate environmental impact.

The council, however, faces criticism from rural advocates like the Countryside Alliance, who view the campaign as an infringement on consumer choice and a direct challenge to the local agriculture industry, known for its dairy farming traditions. Mo Metcalf-Fisher of the Countryside Alliance labeled the campaign a 'bizarre milk snatcher' effort amidst the ongoing pressures on farmers due to tax issues.

Dairy producer Jacob James expressed frustration, highlighting the natural role of emissions in food production and advocating for sustainable farming practices like grass-fed milk production. The controversy follows decisions by other UK councils, including Cornwall and Portsmouth City, to reject vegan mandates and instead support sourcing local dairy and meat products.