Animal activists hope to “significantly” disrupt the UK’s supply chain to create possible milk shortages on supermarket shelves, but dairy giants say that they will ensure “supplies are maintained”.
Some 100 supporters of Animal Rebellion have blocked Muller’s and Arla’s production sites across the UK in the last twenty-four hours.
The group has called on the government to take “meaningful” action on what it says are “the climate crisis and animal crisis”.
In doing so, it wants the government to “support farmers and the fishing community to move away from animal farming and fishing as part of an urgent and immediate transition to a plant-based food system”.
Also, it has demanded that the government commits to rewilding by freeing up land as part of what it says would be a “broader” programme of wildlife restoration and carbon drawdown.
It believes that these two measures would be “the start of a plant-based future”.
The overall aim of the group’s latest campaign is to block supermarkets across the UK during the month of September to “stop the supply of dairy”.
Police arrest animal activists
Police have confirmed that they arrested eight people from a “protest site attributed to an animal rights group” – near Stonehouse.
In a statement yesterday (Sunday, September 4th, 2022), a spokesperson for Gloucestershire Police said:
“Earlier this morning, police seized equipment designed to cause serious disruption and five people have now been arrested, who remain in custody at this time.”
“Officers are continuing to engage with the protesters and enforce the law, where proportionate, lawful and necessary to do so.”
“Gloucestershire Constabulary would further like to urge anyone taking part in the protest to do so peacefully and with respect for the law and the rights of other people.”
“Gloucestershire Constabulary upholds the right of individuals to protest in a peaceful manner, but will take action against anyone who commits any unlawful act against either people or property.”
“Officers would like to reassure residents that they have sufficient resources available to deal with any incidents which may arise from these events, and they are responding to maintain law and order in the community.”
“Officers and staff from Gloucestershire Constabulary have been working hard with partner agencies and the site owners throughout the day. All protesters have now been removed from the site near Stonehouse,” the police spokesperson concluded.
Muller and Arla respond
That’s Farming has this morning (September 5th, 2022) requested a statement from both Muller and Arla and, at the time of writing, has received no response.
However, yesterday, a spokesperson for Müller UK and Ireland confirmed sites targeted were at Droitwich, Severnside and Bridgwater.
“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.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Arla said yesterday:
“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 spokesperson concluded.
Animal Rebellion, this morning in a statement on social media, says that its supports have entered Arla’s Aylesbury site and Muller’s Droitwich and Bridgwater sites for the second consecutive day.
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