John Austin, MP for Erith and Thamesmead, joins local group in pledging his support for planet friendly farming.
When: Saturday 10th October
Where: Erith library
What: John Austin MP and Theresa Pearce, prospective Labour MP for Erith and Thamesmead, with Greenwich and Lewisham Friends of the Earth's to hitting a giant paper mache egg containing hundreds of farm animal-shaped postcards. Mr Austin was bombarded with hundreds of postcards from his constituents when he smashed the farming-themed piñata. The egg-shaped piñata was bursting with animal-shaped postcards signed in support of Friends of the Earth's Food Chain Campaign.
The Food Chain Campaign highlights the link between factory farms and rainforest destruction to grow animal feed and calls on MPs to fix the food chain by supporting small farmers and only spending taxpayers' money only on planet-friendly farming.
Greenwich and Lewisham Friends of the Earth want local MPs to promise to fix the food chain by pushing for planet friendly farming to be included within their party's election manifesto. The piñata event is the finale of the group's summer of action on the issue, during which they've picnicked with local residents and collected over 300 postcards from local people who support the campaign.
The campaign draws the Government's attention to some shocking facts:
? Livestock production is responsible for 18 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, more than all the planes, cars and lorries on the planet.
? On current trends animal feed production and cattle ranching alone and will destroy 40 per cent of the Amazon rainforest by 2050.
John Austin MP said:
"It's great that so many of my constituents have got in touch with me over this important issue. The global meat and dairy industry is one of the biggest contributors to climate change, and is wiping out wildlife around the world. I will certainly be doing all I can to make sure that planet friendly farming is included in my party's election manifesto. I am committed to fixing the food chain and helping small farmers, and support Friends of the Earth's Food Chain Campaign."
Greenwich and Lewisham Friends of the Earth spokesperson Ted Burke said:
"Every single one of these postcards has been sent to John Austin by local people with an appetite for planet-friendly food and farming so it's great that she/he is backing the Food Chain Campaign. I hope the other five MPs in Greenwich and Lewisham will follow this example and do all they can to fix the food chain and get this issue into the Labour party's manifesto."
