1) Visitors

Everyone is welcome to attend VegfestUK events as a visitor, regardless of their current dietary, lifestyle, political or philosophical status. VegfestUK events welcome people who are vegan, plant-based, pretty much plant-based, transitioning, curious or completely new to veganism and plant-based lifestyles. People who currently choose to use animal products will be very welcome to attend and  explore the vast array of vegan options available. Many people go vegan after visiting our events, which is often as a result of seeing how easy and accessible plant-based lifestyles can be. We do ask that visitors to VegfestUK events do not consume any animal products when visiting the show, and request that visitors do not wear any clothing with animal products either when visiting our events.

2) Stalls

All stalls must have 100% vegan products only on the day, and all marketing must be 100% vegan on the day. We do not accept bookings from businesses that promote the use of animal products outside of VegfestUK events unless they have a strong vegan policy that caters for vegans, or they already have a wide range of plant based products, or they are moving towards an increased plant based range. Each application is examined on an individual basis. 

3) Stallholders and Contractors

We do request that all our stallholders (as individuals) or contractors and people working at the event are vegan, but this is not a condition of exhibiting.  We do request non vegan stallholders and contractors be vegan-friendly, respectful to vegans at all times whilst at the events and that they are plant based on the days of the show, and this is a condition of exhibiting. This also applies to contractors, venue staff, volunteers and anyone else working at the event except for Speakers and Performers who must be vegan.

4) Sponsors and promotion of products and businesses through VegfestUK  

We  welcome advertising and sponsorship for vegan brands and products. By ‘vegan’ we refer to the products and marketing for the brand, not the individuals who own or work within the business. 

5) Speakers

We welcome speakers that are vegan, and talks that focus on vegan education. We choose not to include talks that may fuel xenophobia, or campaigns or individuals that use sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, body shaming, speciesism or racism to promote their cause. Speakers must be vegan to speak at our events.

VegfestUK has a policy of encouraging creative vegan education and our talks, demos, workshops discussion and suchlike reflect this. 

We choose not to accept speakers at VegfestUK events who are regularly disrespectful to other activists in public. We support polite, constructive, respectful critique, and supportive environments seeking learning outcomes surrounding sensitive issues –  but not personal attacks, disrespectful comments, puritanical, punitive, exclusionary or rude and discourteous language towards other activists.

6) Performers

We welcome vegan performers to apply. This includes musicians, artists, writers, comedians, individuals & groups for performance. Performers at our events must be vegan.

7) Campaign Groups

Campaign groups are welcome to join us at our events. We encourage all campaign groups that exhibit at VegfestUK include vegan education as part of their outreach work.  We may choose not to include groups that run campaigns that are perceived to fuel xenophobia, or campaigns or individuals that use sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, body shaming, speciesism or racism to promote their cause. 

8) In general

VegfestUK has a clear “go vegan, live vegan, stay vegan and teach vegan” policy. We want to see an end to the use of animals, and helping people go vegan, stay vegan and teach vegan is the foremost way to achieve this. We look to the works of Prof. Tom Regan for inspiration, guidance and authority.

The definition of veganism

We recognise that the 1979 Vegan Society definition is our definition of veganism:

“A philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.”