The Vegan Society’s Campaigns and Policy team work to encourage vegan friendly policy making. Currently this includes measures to protect the rights of vegans, to encourage more vegan provisions in institutions and to promote plant protein agriculture as an alternative to animal farming.
Our key policy points are outlined in this briefing document. Feel free to share this with your local politicians, and let us have any feedback by emailing campaigns[at]vegansociety[dot]com.
Party Conferences
Our team get face to face with politicians at the annual party conferences. This year we'll be talking about our Catering for Everyone campaign on our exhibition stand. We're also running a series of fringe events around the food and farming policies needed for a sustainable and healthy future. Find us at the following events:
Liberal Democrat Conference
Fringe event with Green Liberal Democrats. Monday 17th September, 1pm, Consort Room, The Grand Hotel, Brighton. (Outside the secure zone so accessible without a conference pass. No need to book).
Speakers: Phil Bennion, Lib Dem advisor, farmer, former MEP; Dr Helen Harwatt, Animal Law and Policy Fellow, Harvard Law School; Louise Davies, Head of Campaigns, Policy & Research, The Vegan Society. Chaired by Graham Neale, Green Lib Dems.
Labour Conference
Fringe event with SERA. Monday 24th September, 12.45pm, Supper Club, Blundell Street, Liverpool. (Outside the secure zone so accessible without a conference pass. Book your place here).
Speakers: Chris Williamson MP; Christina Rees MP; Helen Browning OBE, CEO, Soil Association; Tony Juniper, Executive Director for Advocacy, WWF; Dr Helen Harwatt, Animal Law and Policy Fellow, Harvard Law School; Louise Davies, Head of Campaigns, Policy & Research, The Vegan Society. Chaired by Dan Crossley, Food Ethics Council.
23rd - 26th September, ACC Liverpool. Find our exhibition stand in the exhibition hall (ECL 9).
Conservative Conference
Fringe event. Tuesday 2nd October, 8.30am. Executive room 8, ICC, Birmingham. (Inside secure zone, so only accessible with conference pass).
Speakers: Rt Hon George Eustice MP, Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; Pamela Mason, Food & Nutrition Author and Researcher; Duncan Milwain, Chair, Real Junk Food Project; Isabel Sigmac, former Councillor & PPC; Louise Davies, Head of Campaigns, Policy & Research, The Vegan Society. Chaired by Sam Richards, Director, Conservative Environment Network.
Green Party Conference
5th - 7th October, Bristol City Hall. Find our stand in the exhibition hall.
Scottish National Party Conference
7th - 9th October, SEC Centre Glasgow. Find our stand in the exhibition hall.
In 2017 we launched our new Grow Green report at fringe events, and spoke to many policy makers and politicians about the benefits of plant protein agriculture. Read our blog from last year here.
All Party Parliamentary Group APPG on Vegetarianism and Veganism
The Vegan Society sponsors this parliamentary group along with V For Life. We bring guest speakers to parliament to discuss a range of issues including food and medicine labelling, veganism as a protected belief, impact of diet on climate change, and institutional catering provisions.
We have recently been talking to parliamentarians about the environmental impact of animal agriculture, and medicine labelling.
Consultation responses
We recently responded to the Government's consultation on the future of food, farming and the environment. Defra are seeking views on their proposals for future agricultural policy in England. In our response, we challenge the very existence of animal farming and call for more support for farmers transitioning to vegan farming methods.
