Vegan activists have stormed a London government building to demand a plant-based diet for the whole country.
The Animal Rebellion activists, (an Extinction Rebellion climate group branch) climbed the walls of the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) headquarters in Westminster on October 26, and images of the event were recently shared on social media.
This comes shortly after the COP26 UN climate change summit in Glasgow and amid Insulate Britain’s widely-criticized roadblocks.
In a Twitter post, Animal Rebellion wrote:
“Animal Rebellion protestors have scaled DEFRA, demanding government support for a plant-based food system at COP26. The protestors have said that they will take action until the government defunds meat and subsidises a plant-based transition.
Meat and Dairy is one of the leading producers of greenhouse gases and causes 90% of Amazon deforestation. World leaders at cannot talk about meeting the Paris Climate targets and securing global net zero without addressing that our food system is destroying our planet.”
BREAKING: Animal Rebellion protestors have scaled DEFRA, demanding government support for a plant-based food system at COP26. The protestors have said that they will take action until the government defunds meat and subsidises a plant-based transition. pic.twitter.com/ycmDSLt12U
— Animal Rebellion (@RebelsAnimal) October 26, 2021
The activists demand that Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other world leaders cut all taxpayer support for animal agriculture, with livestock farming apparently reaching £1.5 billion in subsidies annually. They currently have no intention of retreating.
“The climbers plan to stay there indefinitely. They will be unfurling a banner that will be presenting the government with our demand that they should be investing in a plant based future. Then we will take it from there,” Nathan McGovern, an activist at the scene, told The Independent.
THIS IS OUR MOMENT! We won't leave until McDonald's commits to go plant-based by 2025 to address the enormous impact they have on the climate, our planet and on animals. The time to act is now. Join the Rebellion and #OccupyMcDonald's: OSI Food Solutions, DN15 8LP.
— Animal Rebellion (@RebelsAnimal) July 15, 2021
Arrests have not yet been made and the police said it is “engaging” with the activists.
Animal Rebellion spokeswoman Bel Jacobs, said, according to Metro:
“The UK Government is simultaneously saying that it is a world leader in climate change whilst propping up the unsustainable and unprofitable meat and dairy industry, one that emits disproportionate amounts of greenhouse gases.
This hypocrisy has to end – we need to defund meat and subsidise plant-based alternatives instead.”
World leaders at COP26 cannot talk about meeting the Paris Climate targets and securing global net zero without addressing that our food system is destroying our planet #COP26 #EnoughCopOuts #PlantBasedFuture pic.twitter.com/nXsn28CG4m
— Animal Rebellion (@RebelsAnimal) October 26, 2021
The National Food Strategy suggested a £125 million investment in alternative products as our “current appetite for meat is unstainable… plant-based proteins produce 70 times less greenhouse gas emissions than an equivalent amount of beef, and use 150 times less land.”
What are your thoughts on this story? Let us know by joining the conversation in the comments and please share this article if you’ve enjoyed the read.