Organisers of the biggest agricultural event in Scotland have criticised a pledge by Edinburgh council to eventually drop meat from menus in its schools, hospitals and nursing homes.
Councillors have voted for the city to become the first in Europe to adopt the Plant Based Treaty announced in 2021 at Cop26 in Glasgow, which calls on local governments to reduce food-related emissions and promote vegan food over animal products.
The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), which holds the annual Royal Highland Show and represents 16,000 farmers, has criticised the campaign. The event at Ingliston, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, contributes an estimated £40 million to the city’s economy each year.
Alan Laidlaw, chief executive of the RHASS, said the pledge supported a