The Tragic Reality of Edinburgh's Red Meat Ban: The Consequences for Children and Elderly

The Plant Based Treaty

The treaty's 38 demands include transitioning to plant-based meal plans in schools, hospitals, and nursing homes, introducing a 'meat tax', and ceasing the sale of all beef in Students' Association Cafes and Restaurants [3]. Stirling University will also be banning meat and dairy from its campus dining halls beginning in 2025. This decision has been made to reduce the environmental impact of meat production and promote "healthier diets".

Red Meat: The Essential Superfood for Children and Elderly

However, this decision has not come without controversy. Red meat is required for children to grow up healthy [4]. Protein is also a requirement for the elderly to prevent age-related muscle loss. Your muscle protects you when you get older and prevents you from dying [5]. When you are in hospital and cannot eat, your body will metabolise your fat, then your muscles, then your bones and organs, then you die. Your muscle protects you by providing your body life saving nutrients when you are in need - That's why they have the saying "break a hip, die of pneumonia".

Many third world countries have understood the dangers of removing animal foods from children's diets because it stuns brain development [6]. Other countries even jail parents who force their children to be vegan (e.g. in Belgium) [7]. But Edinburgh seems to be ignoring the overwhelming evidence showing the health benefits of consuming red meat and instead is promoting plant-based diets that can be detrimental to human health.

The Farmer Community's Response

Farmer protests have arisen in response to the City of Edinburgh Council's endorsement of the Plant Based Treaty, which calls for a transition to plant-based meal plans in schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. The treaty also suggests introducing a 'meat tax' and banning the development of new farms with livestock, as well as halting the expansion of existing farms. Rural campaigning groups have expressed concerns over the move and accused the council of “turning its back” on surrounding farming communities.

The Scottish Countryside Alliance's director, Jake Swindells, has argued that if livestock were not allowed to graze on the 65% of UK farmland that is best suited for grass, it would be unable to produce food. He has also called for the city council to engage with local farmers about their work to produce sustainable food, rather than opting for an “anti-farming authority”.

The Plant Based Myth

The idea that plant-based diets are better for the environment is a myth, as animal foods are essential for the planet. The City of Edinburgh's decision to eliminate meat from menus in schools, hospitals, and nursing homes is detrimental to human health and goes against the sacrifices our ancestors made for our freedom to eat meat and be healthy. The council must consider the long-term effects of their actions and engage with local farmers to find a sustainable solution that benefits both the environment and the health of its citizens.

Learn More

For more information, please read our blog "Exploring the Other Side of the Story: The Negative Impacts of a Vegan Diet and the Positive Environmental and Animal Welfare Benefits of Animal Farming" which delves deeper into the topic and presents a more well-rounded view on the issue.

You can also learn about the health consequences of the vegan diet in this article "The Truth About Veganism for Health: Separating Fact from Fiction"

We want you to have a complete picture on what plant based diets mean for human health and the environment - it's important to understand, the mainstream media does not paint a full picture. These policy changes are driven by ideology and poor quality science - not by truth.

We must strive to protect what our ancestors gave their lives for.

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