On the occasion of Ban Live Exports Awareness Day 2022, fifteen Members of the European Parliament joined together today in a video-action calling on the European Union to ban the export of live farmed animals to third countries.
Regards Mark
Category: Farm Animals
Why Animal Welfare Enforcement Matters
13 September 2022
CIWF
Opinion
Written by Philip Lymbery, President
One thing that unites Europeans is their strong support for animal welfare. A Commission-organised ‘Eurobarometer’ survey found that 9 out of 10 Europeans believe imported products should respect EU animal welfare standards. Whilst about three-quarters or more want tougher animal welfare rules.
This guest blog summarises Philip Lymbery’s speech during the European Parliamentary event “Enforcement of EU Animal Welfare Legislation”, held on 7 September 2022. The event can be watched in full on YouTube.
The European Union (EU) led the world in 1997 when it gave legal recognition to animals as sentient beings, capable of feeling pain, suffering or pleasure. Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU stipulates that, as sentient beings, full regard should be paid to animals’ welfare requirements.
To that end, the EU has one of the most comprehensive sets of rules in the world on animal welfare.
However, these mean little without proper enforcement.
Poor enforcement
A prime example of this is in live animal transportation. Animals suffer greatly during long journeys. Packed into overcrowded trucks, they become increasingly exhausted, dehydrated and stressed as the long journeys wear on. Some get injured and collapse onto the floor of the truck, where they risk being trampled by their companions. In the worst cases, many die – drowning when ships capsize or succumbing to heat stroke when trucks get stuck for hours or even days at border crossings.
The export of live animals to non-EU countries must be prohibited as these long journeys entail immense suffering for the animals involved and, in many cases, they endure painful, terrifying treatment at slaughter in the destination countries where the OIE international standards on welfare at slaughter are routinely ignored.
In this day and age, long distance transport of live animals makes no sense. I agree entirely with the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe that “Animals should be reared as close as possible to the premises on which they are born and slaughtered as close as possible to the point of production”.
Disasters
However, the reality today is that Every year more than three million live animals are exported from the EU to third countries for fattening and slaughter. The transport conditions on the trucks and ships are often unbearable, causing the animals immense suffering on journeys that can last days, weeks or even months. It is commonplace for some to perish in transit.
In the worst disasters thousands die.
In 2019, more than 14,000 sheep destined for export drowned when the cargo ship carrying them capsized in Romania’s Black Sea port of Midia.
And last year more than 2,600 calves being exported from Spain were killed after being kept adrift at sea for three months as no country wanted to accept them due to a suspected outbreak of disease.
Over the years countless petitions and protests by citizens and NGOs have called on the EU to end the live exports horror show. They are backed up by numerous scientific recommendations advising against continuing this cruel practice.
Yet, the practice still goes on. And when we add in domestic journeys within the EU, the scale of the problem magnifies to over 1.6 billion live animals a year being transported across the EU and beyond its borders.
Long distance transport of live animals really should be a thing of the past, instead replaced with a carcass trade in refrigerated lorries.
However, so long as this archaic trade continues, it should be rigorously enforced. Council Regulation 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport sets out a comprehensive set of rules designed to give basic protection to animals caught up in this trade.
Comprehensive assessment
Sadly, a 2021 assessment by Compassion in World Farming found that over thirty years enforcement of EU law on the protection of animals has been poor.
The main breaches of EU law that are regularly observed include:
The transport of unfit animals
Stocking densities often exceed the maximum densities permitted by Regulation 1/2005
Animals are frequently given too little headroom
The Regulation’s maximum permitted temperature is often exceeded
The Regulation’s requirements on feed and water are frequently breached. In some cases water tanks are empty or the drinking devices do not work or they are the wrong type for the species being carried or are positioned in such a way that the animals cannot reach them
The Regulation’s requirements on the provision of rest are often ignored
In some cases, insufficient bedding is provided; in other cases it becomes filthy in the later stages of the journey
The transport of unweaned animals on journeys over 8 hours without animals being fed.
These breaches – often by the same transport companies – have been occurring for many years. While some Member States have improved enforcement, many continue to make little serious attempt to enforce Regulation 1/2005.
Regulation 1/2005 provides strong enforcement mechanisms which are expressly designed to prevent recurrence of breaches, but these are poorly used by the Member States (MS).
Commission reports
The European Commission’s own reports show that enforcement of relevant legislation is woefully poor.
Two overview reports published by the Commission in 2020, one on live exports to non-EU countries by road, one on live exports by sea, reveal serious and regular breaches of Regulation 1/2005. The road report states that most transporters do not meet EU rules on the protection of animals during transport after leaving the EU.
An area that until recently has largely escaped attention are the serious problems that arise when animals being exported to the Middle East and North Africa are transferred from road vehicles to livestock vessels in EU ports and the poor conditions on many livestock vessels.
Regulation 1/2005 requires competent authorities to check before loading that the vessel is in a satisfactory state for the carriage of animals, that the animals are fit to continue their journey, and that loading is carried out in accordance with the Regulation. Competent authorities often fail to discharge these duties properly leading to great suffering during loading and the sea journeys to the Middle East and North Africa.
The Commission’s overview report on live exports by sea reveals that the required checks on the safety of the vessels and their suitability for carrying animals are not carried out properly, and that the authorities permit animals to be loaded onto the ship even when pre-loading inspections of the ship reveal deficiencies. It also stresses that pre-loading checks to ensure that animals are fit to travel are not being carried out properly.
Police enforcement
It is clear from the Commission’s own report that neither the exporters nor the Member State authorities are giving any proper consideration to the animals’ welfare during the sea journeys themselves.
This needs to change.
One essential way for the EU to show its citizens a real seriousness about enforcing its own legislation is to set up dedicated police units. Trained officers dedicated to ensuring that citizen concern for animal welfare is translated into concrete action on the ground.
In this way, an immense amount of animal suffering can be avoided.
All of which would have wider benefits to society.
At EU and international policy level, there is growing recognition that protecting people means protecting animal welfare, a concept known as ‘One Health’ – growing recognition that the health of people relies on the wellbeing of animals and a thriving natural environment.
Through enforcement of legislation, the EU can once again be a global leader in animal welfare. It can give groundbreaking priority to demonstrating that the health of all of us is interconnected. One health, one welfare – protecting people means protecting animals too. With dedicated police units leading the enforcement charge, we would have the means to create a better future for people and animals across the European Union and beyond.
Regards Mark
Civil Society Organisations from South America call on the European Commission to include animal welfare as a key component of the EU-Mercosur agreement
12 September 2022
On 9 September, 65 civil society organisations from South America sent a joint letter to Executive Vice President of the European Commission V. Dombrovskis and to European Commissioner S. Kyriakides explaining why the EU-Mercosur trade agreement as it stands is a bad deal for animals and the planet.
In the wake of the war in Ukraine, and with the possibilities of a new government in Brazil after the elections to be held next month, the ratification of the EU-Mercosur agreement has reappeared on the EU’s political agenda. Following strong pressure from civil society, several Member States – like Austria, France, Belgium and Luxembourg – and from the European Parliament, the process has been on hold since July 2020. Yet, the European Commission is now rushing into technical talks with Mercosur countries to possibly wrap up the discussions about a potential additional protocol to the agreement.
In this political context, a coalition of South American Civil Society Organisations sent a letter to the European Commission listing proposals made during an event held on 29 April in Brazil and supported by Eurogroup for Animals. During the event experts representing environment, human rights and animal welfare organisations unanimously found that improving animal welfare standards in the Mercosur countries will effectively contribute to fight deforestation, the spread of zoonoses and the surge in antimicrobial resistance.
Now, the coalition of South American Civil Society Organisations is calling on political leaders from the EU to consider their suggestions.
Measures to promote animal welfare, sanitary improvements and transparency in the farmed animals industry in Mercosur countries will have a profound impact on fighting climate change. We are open to presenting these measures in detail to the European Commission to help them prevent a catastrophe
Carla Lettieri, Animal Equality Brazil
Indeed, the EU-Mercosur agreement, if implemented as it stands, will fuel the animal farming industry, which is one of the key sectors responsible for the above mentioned challenges. The letter highlights the urgent need to include animal welfare as a key component of any trade agreement as it affects human and animal wellbeing.
The EU-Mercosur agreement will lead to an increase and an intensification of livestock farming in Mercosur countries at a time where this sector is already driving deforestation, climate change and biodiversity loss. At times where the EU promotes the Green Deal, such an agreement should in no way impede the improvement of animal welfare, rather it should encourage it.
Reineke Hameleers, Eurogroup for Animals CEO
Regards Mark
EFSA scientific opinions on the welfare of animals during transport
7 September 2022
The European Food Safety Authority publishes its recommendations to improve animal welfare during transport. Eurogroup for Animals welcomes the new research but we would have hoped for stronger recommendations given that the evidence of animal suffering is there.
Terrestrial animals (pigs, cattle, domestic birds, small ruminants and rabbits)
We welcome EFSA’s opinion on the welfare during transport of pigs, cattle, domestic birds, small ruminants and rabbits. The research confirms and enumerates the many hazards associated with the loading/unloading, transport by road, rail or sea and handling for several species: group stress, handling stress, heat stress, injuries, motion stress, prolonged hunger, prolonged thirst, respiratory disorders, restriction of movement, resting problems and sensory overstimulation, and the list continues.
Although for the different species there is clear evidence that negative mental states such as pain, fear, fatigue, boredom, discomfort and stress are present from the beginning of the transport and only get worse as the duration of the journey increases, EFSA doesn’t recommend shorter journeys for the majority of the species, stating, for example that rabbits and domestic birds can be transported for up to 12 hours. Moreover, EFSA provides recommendations to mitigate the risk related to high stocking densities. In the majority of the species, these recommendations do not even allow animals to lie down comfortably during the journey.
EFSA concludes that sea transport adds even more hazards to animal welfare than other types of transport for all the species analysed. Nevertheless, the opinion doesn’t take any conclusion regarding this topic, even suggesting that more evidence is needed. During the past decades we witnessed continuous failures of sea live exports, which provided plenty of evidence. The European Commission (EC) should not need more evidence, nor tragedies, to support a ban on live exports.
On the specific case of unweaned calves, although there is clear evidence that there are higher risks for these animals, EFSA doesn’t recommend a ban, taking a weaker stance and recommending that they can be transported after 4 weeks of age.
Although we are disappointed that the EC has not gathered the latest scientific knowledge on the welfare of fish and other aquatic animals in these EFSA opinions, we are reassured by Commissioner Kyriakides recent written response to MEPs confirming that the EC will mandate EFSA to gather this knowledge in support of provisions to be introduced through delegated acts.
Finally, we welcome EFSA’s recommendation to transport fertilised eggs and support on-farm hatching in order to reduce the transport and handling stress of day-old chicks.
Although the EFSA opinions regarding the welfare of pigs, cattle, small ruminants and domestic birds during transport demonstrate the continued suffering of these animals, they lack stronger conclusions to protect their welfare. Animals experience several negative affective states, such as hunger, stress, pain and discomfort, from the very beginning of the journey. Their condition increases in severity with the journey duration. Over the years, practical experience, scientific evidence and experts’ opinions have demonstrated that there is no possible mitigation for the hazards that long journeys over rail, road or sea pose to animal welfare. There is an urgent need to reduce maximum journey times overall, and to introduce a ban on live exports and on the transport of certain types of animals such as unweaned calves. Ultimately, the solution is to replace live animal transport with a meat and carcasses trade
Reineke Hameleers, Eurogroup for Animals CEO
Equids
Eurogroup for Animals welcomes EFSA’s scientific opinion on the Welfare of equids during transport. The new research confirms that transport is a critical stressor with high implications for their welfare, and corroborates the need for stricter legislation on the transport of horses, donkeys and their hybrids.
EFSA’s recommendations align with Eurogroup for Animals’ proposals on the training requirements for transporters and handlers and confirm the need to develop protocols to assess the welfare of horses during transport. We also acknowledge and support EFSA’s suggestion to use technological tools and systems to ensure and monitor microclimatic and animals’ conditions.
Although we acknowledge EFSA’s recommendation to maintain journey duration to a minimum, we note with concern the absence of clear recommendations on species-specific maximum journey times. Evidence analysed by EFSA clearly demonstrates the need to set limits on journey times at 8 hours, including for equines destined for slaughter. With the abundance of research on the topic, we urge the European Commission not to further delay action.
We support the conclusions of EFSA on the transport conditions of equines destined for slaughter, highlighting that these animals are often transported over long journeys and in poor conditions, because they are considered of lower value and often suffer from health issues prior to their final journey. Along with EFSA, we also encourage further research on whether control posts really address animal welfare concerns during long journeys and support EFSA’s recommended period of minimum 12-hour rest for equines at a control post, including loading and unloading.
While EFSA mentions that there are no agreed scientific guidelines on fitness for transport, World Horse Welfare, Eurogroup for Animals and other organisations contributed to the Practical guidelines to assess fitness for transport of Equidae (horses, donkeys and their hybrids) supported by the European Commission and WOAH.
EFSA’s scientific opinion on the welfare of equidae during transport clearly demonstrates the need to set maximum journey times. The evidence is there, it is now time for the European Commission to act. The new research reminds us that transport conditions affect the welfare of all equines, calling for stricter rules for all these animals, regardless of their destination.
Reineke Hameleers, Eurogroup for Animals CEO
All the scientific opinions can be found on EFSA’s website.
Regards Mark
New documentary SLAY exposes the cruel use of animals in fashion
8 September 2022
Premiering today, the new documentary SLAY follows filmmaker Rebecca Cappelli as she exposes the fur, wool and leather fashion industry for its greenwashing and cruel treatment of animals. Produced by Keegan Kuhn (known for his work on What the Health and Cowspiracy), the film asks an important question: is it ever acceptable to kill animals for fashion?
From Europe to China, SLAY spans 5 continents as it uncovers the unethical practices of the fashion industry on a global scale, emphasising the horrific ways the animals are kept and killed, all in the name of fashion and profit. The documentary features interviews with animal welfare and sustainability experts, as well as representatives from the fur industry itself.
Cappelli spent the last 3 years investigating animal skins in fashion, examining the devastating impact on people, the environment and animals.
If someone would have told me even half of what I discovered doing this film, I wouldn’t have believed it.
Rebecca Cappelli
The fur industry
The documentary is bold in debunking the argument that fur is a sustainable product, and also stresses workers rights, but the real emphasis is keeping the cruel treatment of animals in focus. SLAY shares behind the scenes footage of the animals kept in confined spaces, unable to stand or move around. The film depicts the abhorrent ways that the animals are killed, with the priority given to the protection of the quality of fur, rather than the welfare of the animal.
The documentary also shines a light on the scale of mis-labelled fur products on the market, including within the EU. Although often seen as a luxury item, fur has often been uncovered on the high street on low cost garments and accessories. Consumers are often unaware that they are purchasing fur products when they buy items such as bobble hats and fur trimmed hooded coats. Due to the mis-labelling of fur, many consumers are not given a choice and are unwittingly supporting the fur industry.
The fashion industry has been keeping animals out of people’s minds for too long, together we can change that.
Rebecca Cappelli
SLAY breaks outside of echo chambers and aims to make a real difference for the animals, for the planet, and the people who live at the mercy of the fashion industry.
From 8th September, the film will be available to watch on WaterBear Network. The free streaming platform is dedicated to sustainability, activism, and conservation.
Fur free Europe:
Fur Free Europe | Eurogroup for Animals
Regards Mark
I am English but I love so much about the Dutch / Netherlands:
Taking the factory farming tour truck across the Netherlands:
WAV Comment – as Di says, we (her and I) have worked together on many animal issues in Germany and the UK for years. Di has saved many heavy horses from going into the meat trade, and being slaughtered in the past, and now sadly, Same, her own horse, has to be found a new home. Di provides details below for you. We need to get Same re homed within the next few weeks if at all possible.
Please use the contact link Contact – World Animals Voice if you need to follow up; and I will assure that all requests are forwarded over.
Regards Mark
‘Same’ currently lives in the Greater Stuttgart Area, North; Germany.
I seek a new home for my 6-year old Noriker gelding “Same Silver Elmar” due to, sadly, financial difficulties after repeated job loss. “Same” has been with me since he was a foal, coming from Kaernten, in Austria, in 2016 – that is, directly from the breeder near Jenig (“Leopard” only breeder).
“Same” is a few-spot leopard, with both parents being spotted, one “Wendy” (since passed), and the reg. stallion “Satan Elmar” (https://www.pferdezucht-austria.at/zapview.asp?zap=1&hid=103 – https://www.norikerzucht.com/uploads/pics/04000673-00396-09_2.jpg)
He is not yet trained, but knows a little groundwork, likes going for walks. Hooves, leading, transporting are no problem. He is a good-natured, inquisitive, non-aggressive, human-oriented and very willing. Much like a big dog, who follows his Human around and is willing to please 🙂
I would like, for him, the right person, a friend and partner for life. Someone who can devote time and love into his careful training, and the building of a lasting friendship with him. He deserves no less.
Unfortunately, I am under pressure timewise (end of September – stable notice), after various parties abandoning their “very keen interest in that beautiful horse” recently, and hence I am stuck for options. I want to find the right place and people for him, as he is such a sweet guy, and handing him on to a trader will simply not do.
I have been involved with animal welfare, like Mark here, for many years, and “Same” is my 10th horse, saved from slaughter. I had hoped to be able to keep him, at least, but sadly that is not an option anymore.
The pot. price is a matter of discussion if the right offer comes along. I am also, of course, interested in other options, if someone can offer to help.
Thank you very much.
Diana H.
We are looking for a safe forever home for Same – please pass this link
Germany: A Request To Find A New Forever Home for ‘Same’; – Owned By Animal Buddy Di, Who Has Saved Many Heavy Horses From Slaughter In the Past. Details and Contact Below.
… on to anyone who you feel may be keen to help – Thank you.
Following on from our recent article:
England: Animal Rebellion activists stop milk supply in parts of England. – World Animals Voice
Animal Rebellion activists drill lorry tyres at Somerset Müller site as part of protests
It comes after eight people were arrested in protests at the factory in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire
Animal Rebellion protesters broke onto the site of the Müller facility in Bridgwater overnight, drilling holes in truck tyres to disrupt the company’s distribution. The acts come amid a weekend of protests at dairy production areas across England, with eight people arrested after similar protests at the Müller plant in Stonehouse.
Animal rights protestors have targeted dairy distribution sites for the second time in 24 hours after trespassing onto critical dairy distribution facilities and drilling holes in lorry tyres and filling outlet houses with expanding foam.
The nonviolent actions taken by Animal Rebellion on both the morning of September 4, as well as in the early hours of this morning (September 5), were intended to seriously disable the ability of the facilities to process and distribute milk.
As well as Müller Bridgwater, activists entered sites at Arla Aylesbury, and Müller Droitwich – breaking a High Court injunction by doing so.
Today’s action is an escalation in Animal Rebellion’s campaign, which the group has stated will continue until the British Government enters negotiations for its two demands:
- Government supports farmers and fishing communities to move away from animal farming and fishing as part of an urgent and immediate transition to a plant-based food system.
- Government commits to rewild the freed-up land and ocean as part of a broader programme of wildlife restoration and carbon drawdown.
Theresa Higginson, 24, a retail worker from Biggleswade, one of those at Aylesbury, said: “What you have seen today are actions taken out of love for, and a need to protect, all life. Every individual here is united by a common goal, a better and more just world.
“I stand by all of our actions. We have no alternative. The government had the chance to respond but failed to do so.
Protesters also targeted sites at Arla Aylesbury and Müller Droitwich (Image: Animal Rebellion)
“We have had a leadership contest where the climate crisis has barely had a mention, and we have massive corporations that are able to operate with impunity despite the cost of their businesses on the planet. This Tory leadership election has exposed the need for massive political change, and that starts with the immediate transition to a plant-based food system that supports British farmers into a plant-based future.”
Rachel Steele, 46, a graphic designer from Blackpool, one of those involved at Aylesbury, said: “I came here not because I wanted to cause damage but because I am terrified about the future of the planet and all its inhabitants – human and non-human. We need a political system built on love and compassion. We need massive, fair and rapid system change.
“We cannot allow the government to greenwash and pretend that they can carry on business as usual, while the planet suffers ever more devastation, causing death and misery to millions. The only way to avert this is by massive governmental support for farmers to transition to a plant-based food system”
Protests have been held across the weekend, with eight having been arrested at Müller’s Severnside distribution site near Stonehouse in Gloucestershire.
https://get-latest.convrse.media/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gloucestershirelive.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fregional-news%2Fanimal-rebellion-activists-drill-lorry-7546996&cre=bottom&cip=18&view=web Early yesterday morning (Sunday, September 4) police seized equipment at the Stonehouse site designed to cause serious disruption, contributing to the initial arrest of five people. A further three had been arrested by around 9.30pm yesterday evening.
The latest update from Gloucestershire Constabulary, released yesterday evening, said all protestors had been removed and that the site is fully operational, with a total of eight people having been arrested.
The weekend’s action comes as part of Animal Rebellion’s demands for a plant-based future, which were announced back in May (Monday 23). The animal and climate group is calling for wholesale governmental support for farmers and fishing communities to transition to a plant-based food system and programme of rewilding that will secure a future for generations to come.
Animal Rebellion is a mass movement using nonviolent civil disobedience to call for a just, sustainable plant-based food system.
Regards Mark
Animal Rebellion protesters climb on top of a truck at the Arla Aylesbury depot. Photograph: Andrea Domeniconi/Alamy Live News/Alamy Live News.
Animal Rebellion activists stop milk supply in parts of England
More than 100 protesters block and climb on trucks at dairies in the Midlands and southern England
More than 100 supporters of Animal Rebellion stopped the supply of fresh milk across large areas of England in the early hours of Sunday, including Arla Aylesbury, which processes 10% of the UK supply.
It came after the activist group, who campaign for a sustainable plant-based food system, received no response to a letter to Downing Street in August, in which they warned of disruptive action in September unless progress towards their demands was made.
Members of Animal Rebellion stopped and climbed on company trucks outside four facilities supplying milk to the Midlands and south of England. Others entered company premises, climbing on to milk silos and the sites’ loading bays.
The four distribution centres, operated by Müller and Arla, together process an estimated 2bn litres of fresh milk annually.
The group has said its supporters will continue to take direct action until the British government negotiates on its two demands.
It is calling for the government to support farmers and fishing communities to move away from animal farming and fishing as part of an immediate transition to a plant-based food system.
It also wants the government to commit to rewild the freed-up land and ocean as part of a broader programme of wildlife restoration and carbon drawdown.
John Appleton, who worked at Arla for six years and is taking part in the protest, said: “I’ve seen this industry first-hand, I know the struggle that farmers and workers go through every single day. We need a food system that works for them, everyone else, and nonhuman animals.
“Governmental support for this is vital to tackle the climate and ecological emergencies. We know the twin solution: transition to a plant-based food system and a mass rewilding programme.”
Steve Bone, a photographer from Thorpe-le-Soken in Essex who also joined the action, said: “A plant-based future would restore the British countryside and all the wonderful nature lost to animal farming … A plant-based future would enable massive carbon drawdown and mitigate the worst impacts of the climate crisis.”
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A spokesperson for Müller UK and Ireland confirmed the sites targeted were at Droitwich, Severnside and Bridgwater.
He said: “We are disappointed to be targeted by a small number of activists who don’t represent the 96% of adults in Britain who choose milk every week, and we will ensure that supplies are maintained.
“Dairy is affordable and packed with nutrients that benefit our bodies. During a cost of living crisis it is wrong to try to prevent it from reaching families, including vulnerable members of society.”
An Arla spokesperson said: “We currently have protesters at our Aylesbury site and are working closely with local police to resolve the situation. The safety and security of our colleagues at the site is our number one priority and production is currently running as normal.”
The protest comes a day after Animal Rebellion campaigners gathered at a Whole Foods store in London, and Marks & Spencer supermarkets in Southampton, Manchester and Birmingham, holding signs that read “Plant-based future” and “Rewild our land” as they tried to stop shoppers from buying milk.
Animal Rebellion, a sister movement of Extinction Rebellion, claims it has hundreds of supporters willing to be arrested and go to prison for taking direct action.
So far this year, activists from the group have disrupted the trooping the colour ceremony at the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations, invaded the track at the Epsom derby horse race, and emptied milk bottles on to the floor in the food hall at Harrods department store in London. They have also announced plans to block supermarkets and prevent millions of people from buying milk.
Müller and Arla have been contacted for comment.
Regards Mark
We reported that this would happen in a recent post:
England: Milk; Still Think Its Natural For Humans ? – No, For Baby Cows Only. – World Animals Voice
Animal Rebellion: Vegan activists vow to disrupt UK dairy milk supply in eco protest
Vegan activists have vowed to disrupt the supply of milk to UK supermarkets for the first two weeks of September in an anti-dairy protest.
Animal Rebellion, a group of animal rights activists linked to Extinction Rebellion, said it would take action in supermarkets across the UK, affecting millions of customers, from Saturday.
It claims it has hundreds of volunteers who are prepared to take direct action to prevent people buying dairy milk.
The escalation of the protest comes after demonstrators with the group blockaded supermarkets in London earlier this year and also poured milk onto the floor of Harrods.
In a statement, the group said: “We have spent months trying all the proper channels to engage with the Government on the scientific consensus to transition to a plant-based future, but they have chosen to ignore us.
“We are left with no choice but to step into civil resistance to pressure government action to preserve our futures.
“We are announcing our intentions in advance so the British public to prepare for a disruption to the milk supply this September.
“We apologise for any stress this may cause during a cost of living crisis, but the government are sleepwalking every single one of us into poverty, misery, and climate and ecological collapse. We cannot sit by and let this happen.”
Other direct action taken by the group include disrupting the Trooping the Colour ceremony at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and invading the track at the Epsom derby.
Activists have also blockaded factories and restaurants associated with the diary and meat industries.
Some of those involved in the group have been linked to other eco-groups known for their direct action tactics, such as Just Stop Oil.
The chief executive for the Dairy Council, told the Guardian in response to the group’s plans: “It’s difficult to comment upfront before any events take place, but we are very disappointed at Animal Rebellion’s planned action, which could cause totally unnecessary disruption for businesses and consumers and is unhelpful during a cost of living crisis. We’d urge them to rethink their actions.”
Regards Mark
World Animals Voice 
