Joint letter calling on government to support a transition to plant-based farming

Some industries are struggling with a lack of demand, largely due to cafe and restaurant closures as a result of the lockdown implemented to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic. There are reports of dairy milk being dumped by some farmers, which is all the more tragic, as this milk should be intended for calves. Together we have urged that the government does not bow to the continued demands from dairy industry representatives for financial support. We call for public money to be used for public good. At a time when sales of plant-based milks are positively booming, it makes little sense to bail out such a cruel and destructive industry, which has been in decline for some time now.

In addition, animal agriculture plays a central role in the causation of emerging diseases, so now is the time to stop funding it. Instead, the government should be supporting farmers to move to kinder and greener plant-based agriculture.