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John Leech MP mounts bucking bronco to show support for planet-friendly farming
April 28, 2009 1:28 PM
John Leech MP rides bucking bronco to show support for planet-friendly farming.
The government should be doing more to support small farms and planet-friendly farming according to Withington MP, John Leech.
Mr Leech's calls came this week as Friends of the Earth released new research showing that families in England are paying over £700 million in tax each year to prop up factory farms. This money is channelled through the EU's Common Agricultural Policy, promoting environmentally damaging intensive farming
In a show of support, Mr Leech mounted a bucking bronco outside the Houses of Parliament to highlight the need for the government to fix the food chain by promoting sustainable farming.
John Leech said:
"The global meat and dairy industry is one of the biggest contributors to climate change, and is wiping out wildlife around the world."
"It is a tragedy that tropical forests are being chopped down in developing countries to grow food for our cows, pigs and chickens."
Friends of the Earth's report - Feeding the Beast - highlights how factory farms link the food on our plates to rainforest destruction in South America and calls on the Government to fix the food chain by supporting small farms and planet-friendly farming.
John Leech added
"Friends of the Earth's call for a move towards planet-friendly farming is welcome - we need to take action to make sure the system works for the planet and for farmers and families in Britain."
Notes to Editors
1. John Leech MP is one of 171 MPs to have signed Early Day Motion 845 which raises awareness of the environmental and social damage being driven by the global meat and dairy industry and calls for action.
2. To see John Leech on the bucking bronco go to http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/images/food_chain/slides/John%20Leech002.html
3. For more information on the money spent on factory farming see Friends of the Earth's Feeding the Beast media briefing at http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/feeding_the_beast_media.pdf
4. For further information, contact Nicky Stocks, Friends of the Earth press office - 020 7566 1649
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