The Liberal Democrats have hit back at insinuations that they could ban meat and dairy from being served at council events.

Liberal Democrat Group leader James Gibson Watt denied that this any such plan was even being considered and said that any suggestion amounted to “scaremongering” from opposition Conservative councillors.

The comments came after news that a motion will be brought forward later this week by Conservative councillor Iain McIntosh - which will seek a commitment to serve meat and dairy for at least the next five years.

Mr McIntosh highlighted a move earlier this year by Liberal Democrat/Labour and Green Party-run Oxfordshire County Council to .

Councillor Watt said in response: “There is absolutely no plan to introduce a meat or dairy ban of any kind in Powys and Councillor Ian McIntosh will be aware of that.

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“It is a shame he rather uses Council time to play politics rather than focus on real issues such as the cost of living and energy crisis, which incidentally is having a tremendous impact on our local farmers.”

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats will always back our local producers and since July Cllr Sian Cox has held three community assemblies bringing farmers, food growers, environmentalists and citizens together to discuss food, farming and nature in Wales, not a single person has spoken of a ‘meat ban fear’ despite scaremongering from Councillor McIntosh.

READ MORE: Conservatives demand assurances over serving of meat and dairy in Powys schools

“We will continue to serve healthy nutritional meals which balance the amount of carbohydrates, good quality meat, dairy and non-meat protein products, fruit, vegetables, drinks, and dairy products, produced and provided through local supply chains where possible.”

Councillor Iain McIntosh however has claimed: “Following discussions with many farmers, businesses, and members of the public, there is considerable concern that as Powys County Council is under the control of Labour and the Liberal Democrats, a meat and dairy ban may be introduced here too.”

Councillor McIntosh added that vegetarian and vegan food should be an “option”.

If the motion is successful, the financial costings which need to accompany each notice of motion suggest that the £2.2 million school meals budget will need to be increased but how much more cannot be calculated until “further analysis” is done.