Mayor's meat free dinner wins support

According to Roger Foxwell, deputy chairman of the East Sussex National Farmers Union, a number of farmers stayed away from the function because the meal was entirely vegetarian.

The mayor, Cllr Merlin Milner, said the event, which took place on Monday evening at the Town Hall, was a great success and the decision to have a vegetarian dinner was not a criticism of farmers but based on his personal beliefs.

He also said he believed the majority of farmers backed his decision not to have any meat on the menu.

The event dates back to 1853 and is organised by the mayor who entertains 11 business people from the town and 11 farmers.

Traditionally the dinner was held at the White Hart where a dinner of steak and kidney pudding was served.

Roger Foxwell, of Foxhole Farm, Newhaven, said: 'There were a number of farmers who had been invited who actually declined the offer because it was an entirely vegetarian meal and their view was this is a livestock area and livestock grazing is essential to maintain the local landscape.'

William Craig, who farms lamb at Glyndebourne, added: 'I think we were all disappointed there wasn't a meat option.

'When you go to a restaurant you are generally offered a vegetarian course and we were surprised we were not offered the same choice as meat-eaters.'

Mr Foxwell did attend the dinner on Monday evening and admitted he enjoyed the food '“ which included a vegetarian shepherd's pie '“ but said he wore a badge supporting British beef on his lounge suit.

Before the event the mayor wrote to farmers to explain his reason for the non-meat menu. He said: 'As I am a vegetarian all my mayoral events have served vegetarian food and this will also apply to this occasion.

'However, I stress that serving no meat is not a criticism of specific producers, more about my own beliefs and values.'

The mayor told the Express he met Mr Foxwell in advance of the dinner and the farmer agreed the dinner should go ahead with a strictly vegetarian menu.

Cllr Milner also said one of the themes of his year in office had been to promote local produce and Monday's dinner was no exception and used both locally produced food and drink.

Comments from readers:

Fantastic! Well done to the mayor for having the courage of his convictions.

Mary Brown,

Tiverton,

Devon

I am sure if the boot was on the other foot the farmers would have served meat, that being 'their' beliefs - Cllr Milner does not eat animals beit for moral and/or health reasons - he has every right to exercise what he feels is right and this should be repected. If these farmers cannot go without meat for one evening and even moan about it (something farmers are pretty good at doing) then they have no respect.

Why do animals have to be killed to celebrate things anyway?

It would be interesting to know if any of the other people that were not farmers objected to this as well, I doubt it.

Well done Cllr Milner for standing up for what he believes in and not what other people say he should, i.e to appease the farmers.

I wish this very honest and thoughtful Cllr was one of ours - he would have my vote any day!

With very best regards

SueBK

Well done to Merlin Milner's stance at the Lewes Town & County dinner.

Most people would be veggie if abattoirs had glass walls '“ it's a brutal, cruel business and bad for the environment too '“ a recent UN report explained that global emissions from grazing animals make up more than all vehicle emissions put together, not to mention huge water wastage.

Go veggie '“ or even better, vegan and you'll not only save animals, but the planet and your own health too! Why should animals have to die for human greed and stupidity '“ all in the name of 'tradition'? I'm all for farming

- but organic arable farming is the way forward, not animal.

Jane Easton

Having lives near Lewes for nearly 20 years, I am delighted that a local politician has the courage to stand by his beliefs. The UN Food & Agriculture Organisation has recently issued a report identifying livestock production as being at the heart of almost all the world's environmental catastrophes, including global warming. So this decision should not only be cheered for its moral dimension but for its contribution towards saving the global environment. A for those who didn't attend '“ how unbelievably bigoted. Three cheers, Mr Mayor, amd if I still lived there you'd get my vote.

Tony Wardle

Associate Director

Editor - Viva!Life

I read your headline regarding the Lewes Mayor's Dinner with dismay. Is it not the idea to entertain your guests not yourself when inviting people to dinner? How selfish of the Mayor.

Lynne

Well done, Cllr. Milner!

Congratulations to the Mayor of Lewes for having the courage to stick to his principles, despite opposition. These dinners have been going since 1853 and this was the first completely vegetarian one - it was about time for something different, and what a pleasant change!

The farmers have no reason to complain, since vegetarians probably use more local produce than carnivores.

This is good publicity for a healthy, compassionate lifestyle.

Valerie Moffett, Seaford

I have been a non-meater for over 30 years as a result of walking past the abbatoir at Ringmer and hearing the most horrendous screams and noises.

It made me feel physically sick and I have not touched meat since although I do eat a little fish. So, do I agree with Cllr Merlin Miller's decision to have an all vegetarian dinner? No, actually I do not. For one reason, by doing this he is imposing his own values on others and that is unfair. For another reason, farmers make their living from selling their meat. I choose not to eat it but that is my personal choice. I do not impose that on others. Our local farmers should be supported by those who are happy to eat their meat and I am sure there were many people at the Town and County Dinner who would have enjoyed a lamb chop. That should be their choice - not someone else's. Meat and vegetarian should have been available.

Rikki Gandolf

Fantastic news! Well done for a brave and humane choice by Mayor Milner. A thoroughly honourable man.

Phil

Well done to the Mayor and what are the farmers complaining about. Farmers produce vegetables and fruit, so what are they winging about. You do not hear the fruit farmers complaining if there is no fruit salad at the end of a meal.

Here you have someone offering a healthy meal and just because it does not fit in with the meat producers beliefs they complain. They simply want it all their own way.

Malcolm Clark

With reference to the Town and County Dinnner held by Mayor Milner this year, I question the meaning and value of 'tradition' in this context. With the near-complete loss of ancient woodlands around Lewes, removal of hedgerows upon which our multi-millennial-old wildlife depends, loss of crop rotation, introduction of post World War II industrial farming practices, modern slaughter systems and commercial availability of animal flesh on a scale unprecedented since the world began, it is good to see a public figure being mindful of the health of his guests and serving them a meal that won't kill their bodies as well as their souls. With more than 92% of our essential foodstuff now imported from abroad, I would like to see traditions restored of local farmers growing the plants that local people (and our wildlife) need to eat. If local farmers would adopt the ancient Christian tradition of abstention from eating fish, flesh and fowl, I would see nothing wrong with dining with them too.

Eleisha C Newman, Lewes Resident

Well done to the mayor, veggie is the way to go. Good for him.

Elaine Maytum

How nice the Mayor had the courage of his convictions inspite of all the criticism. At least these meat eaters may now understand how vegeterians have felt over the years. Not only did the Mayor chose the compassionate option he also chose the most ecological sound diet. Well done.

Marcia Hooley/Hampshire

Many congratulations to the Mayor for arranging a Vegetarian Dinner and for upholding his beliefs. It's about time that vegetarianism was not seen as a minority interest - there are 6 million of us in the UK. For too long we have had to suffer limited menu choices and have to sit and watch while slaughtered animals are roasted and consumed. Surely no-one can object to just the occasional meat-free meal. There are so many delicious veggies foods and recipes available, including gourmet dishes.

So please keep up the good work and help to highlight the plight of our poor farmed animals, who have a miserable life which ends in a dreadful death.

Mary Shephard

Tonbridge,

Kent.