Activists held a sit-in at a Sainsbury’s supermarket in Bristol to protest against animal farming and promote a plant-based diet. Members of Animal Rebellion occupied the egg aisle at Sainsbury’s in Clifton Down Shopping Centre for one hour.
Around 13 local supporters took part in the action, ahead of the end of DEFRA's ‘free-range grace period’ for English barn eggs ending on Monday (February 27). They held placards calling for the UK to adopt a plant-based food system.
Many hens reared to provide free range eggs are now being bred in barns because of fears over avian flu. Producers were still allowed to label the eggs “free range” for a 16 week grace period.
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But from next week they will have to be called barn eggs. Protesters held placards calling for the UK to adopt a plant-based food system and said they were targeting Sainsbury’s because the supermarket chain sells over half of the RSPCA-assured products in the UK.
They believe the label gives shoppers false assurances about welfare standards. Bristol-based teacher, Mia Bridges, 27, says she took part because she believes billions of animals are suffering worldwide as a result of a broken food system.
She said: “As a nation of animal lovers, we really have to question why we are allowing cruel practices to continue when there is such a simple, kinder alternative: a sustainable plant-based food system."
Earlier this month, supporters of the same group put up posters around Bristol city centre asking people to put their love for animals into action on Valentine's Day by choosing a plant-based future. The coordinated mass action includes similar protests in London, Nottingham, Exeter, Southampton and Liverpool.
Sainsbury’s issued a statement saying: “We are aware of some activity at our stores and are monitoring the situation. We have a range of security measures in place to ensure our customers can shop with us safely.”
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