The University of East Anglia (UEA) has u-turned on its decision to ban beef from its on-campus outlets following backlash from students. 

UEA enacted the ban last month, saying students are becoming more concerned by the climate crisis and are looking at how to curb food-related emissions. 

Farmers from the NFU also slammed the University’s decision, saying it was ‘disappointed’ in the verdict and had contacted UEA to discuss the ban.

‘Undemocratic’

However, the ban was branded ‘undemocratic’ by Jess Barret, a journalist for the University’s student newspaper, for insufficient consultation ‘to the wider student body’, the Caterer reports.

Student Union Councillors held a second vote on December 5 where 52 percent voted to reverse the ban, 36 percent voted for it to remain, and 12 percent abstained. 

‘Environmental impact’ 

Sophie Atherton, Campaigns and Democracy Officer at UEA said: “Research demonstrates that beef production is a critical contributor to climate change; beef requires 28 times more land to produce than pork or chicken.”

While opposition Jack Annand, Union Representative for the Cocktail Society at UEA said: “Trying to bridge the price gap between meat and non-meat alternatives is a better way to combat the environmental impact of beef.”