Animal Aid

The following statement has been issued by Animal Aid:

Animal rights protesters will be calling on the London headquarters of the National Farmers' Union on Tuesday May 8, demanding an apology for the heavy price some of its members have inflicted upon millions of animals, and on the nation in general, as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak.

In media interviews, farmers have been blaming everyone but themselves for foot and mouth... and continue making extreme demands for financial compensation from taxpayers. But Tuesday's demonstration, organised by Animal Aid, the UK's largest animal rights group, will call to account those responsible for foot and mouth - the operators of modern polluting and ruthless systems of animal 'production'.

Dressed in farmers' garb and displaying wads of the 'blood money' that farmers have received as compensation from taxpayers, the Animal Aid protesters will be carrying placards and banners with messages such as:

• Farmers say: Sorry... for sponging off taxpayers
• Farmers say: Sorry... for decimating tourism
• Farmers say: Sorry... for blaming everyone else instead of taking responsibility
• Farmers say: Sorry... for pretending that killing animals isn't our living

The public have been shocked by scenes of animals being destroyed under the FMD emergency measures. Following the NFU demo, Animal Aid will be taking its new five-minute shock video onto the streets of Central London. This shows everyday scenes of farming and slaughter, demonstrating that cruelty and incompetence are the staple of animal farming. Called Choose Life - Go Veggie, the London 'premiere' marks the start of a UK tour of the new video, which features a haunting soundtrack donated by global music star, Moby.

PHOTOCALL:
Time: 12 noon, Tuesday 8th May.
Place: The London headquarters of the National Farmers' Union, 164 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2

Full background and an open letter to NFU president, Ben Gill, will be posted on Animal Aid's website on the day of the demo, at 9am, Tuesday 8th May.

Notes to Editors

• For more information contact Yvonne Taylor or Andrew Tyler on 01732 364546.
• We have an ISDN line for Broadcast-quality interviews.