Charles Godfray, David Stanley, Maggie Charnley, Tony Wardle and Elinor Newman-Beckett Chaired by Lucian Hudson

Population biologist Professor Sir Charles Godfray, livestock farmer Dave Stanley, policy maker Maggie Charnley, associate director of Viva Tony Wardle, and associate at SystemIQ Elinor Newman-Beckett join a panel put together by Oxford’s Earthwatch charity to debate whether veganism is a way to save the planet.

There will be an estimated 9 billion mouths to feed globally by 2050. Which farming system can meet the long-term food needs of society, whilst also protecting the environment?  Is veganism the way to save our planet or just an unobtainable panacea? Questions will be invited from the public

Godfray is director of the Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford, and a professor of population biology in the Department of Zoology. He has a particular interest in the global food system and how it will need to change and adapt to the challenges facing humanity this century. Stanley is a farmer and director of the Pasture-Fed Livestock Association. He built up a pedigree beef herd that was totally grass fed, is a winner of the Lincolnshire Environmental Award for Farming and is a strong believer in operating within natural lifecycles. Charnley is senior leader: farming and food sectors and trade policy, department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.  Wardle is an associate director and editor at the charity Viva, which campaigns for animal rights and in support of veganism. Newman-Beckett works on sustainable supply chain strategies to grow farmer prosperity and reduce deforestation.

Discussions are chaired by Lucian Hudson, a communications specialist and trustee of Earthwatch who was recently appointed interim director of public affairs and communications at the University of Oxford.

This debate is part of a programme of events entitled Pasture to Plate® which consider issues around farming, pasture-fed food, rotation of crops, rewilding and rural literature.