Plant-based Diet

Earl of Devon Excerpts

Tuesday 28th October 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

I thank the noble Lord for his question and his observations. Speaking personally, I find that we are eating far more of a varied diet at home, and indeed often plant-based and purely vegan meals. That is generally generated by the desire of my teenage daughters to live a healthier lifestyle, even if they are not particularly my objectives. The noble Lord makes a point about the way that, through the food strategy and the Eatwell Guide, we are trying to ensure that people have a clear understanding of what a healthy, balanced diet looks like and can be accessed, whether that includes meat and dairy or, indeed, a purely plant-based approach. It is important that consumers of all ages can access that information, which is being promoted as part of the food strategy.

[The Earl of Devon (CB)]

My Lords, the Minister has noted the importance of at least some meat-based protein in a varied and healthy diet. Have the Government assessed the relative merits for health and the wider environment of grass-fed meat of the sort that predominates in our western counties? I note my interest as a Devon farmer.

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

The important thing to say to the noble Earl is that it is about empowering people via the food strategy to have more and better options so that they can make better choices. That can include a range of different food options. No one is going to yield to me in my preference to have, occasionally, a very good West Country steak that has just passed through the kitchen, not lingering for too long. At the same time, it is very much part of a balance. It is important that we are able to demonstrate to people that, whether it is plant based or not just plant based, as long as there is a rich variety of foods on their plate, that is going to lead to a healthier outcome.