Red meat plays vital role in diets, claims expert in fightback against veganism

As millions cut out animal products, farming conference hears that fruit and vegetables have been drained of nutrients

Advocates of red meat will begin a fightback against the growth of veganism this week at the UK's biggest farming conference, with claims that eating lamb and beef is vital because some plants and fish are being drained of their nutrition.

In a speech at the Oxford Farming Conference, Alice Stanton will tell ministers, farmers and environmentalists that key nutrients in some fruits, vegetables and grains have dropped by up to 50% over 50 years.