THE GROUP behind yesterday's protest at the Muller factory near Stonehouse have explained their motives. 

This comes as eight people were arrested following an animal rights protest at the factory, which took place alongside three other protests.  

"We urgently need massive government support for animal farmers and fishing communities to transition to a plant-based food system," said Nathan McGovern, 23, spokesperson for Animal Rebellion, the group behind the protest. 

"It is a necessary part of addressing the cost-of-living and climate crises.

"We could have cheaper food, using less land, produced in a financially and ecologically sustainable way.

"These actions come after months of attempted negotiation with the Government was ignored.

"Civil resistance is our only remaining option to secure a better, plant-based future"

Animal Rebellion activists cut off the milk supply to the Midlands and South of England following a weekend of protests in UK supermarkets.

The group created blockades at four Key Dairy Distribution Centres.

Since 5am on Sunday, September 4, groups of Animal Rebellion supporters stopped and climbed onto company trucks outside facilities.

Others trespassed inside company facilities, climbing up onto milk silos and the sites' loading bays after the activists received no response from a letter delivered to Downing Street in August warning of these protests.

According to the group, the dairy blocks happened in Droitwich, Aylesbury, Severnside and Bridgwater.

This comes as the group had been restricting the UK milk supply in four major cities over the weekend, protesting through sit-ins in major supermarkets, blocking customers from accessing dairy aisles.

Protestors from Animal Rebellion entered a Whole Foods store in London and Marks & Spencer’s stores in Southampton, Birmingham, and Manchester.

A spokesperson for Müller UK & Ireland said: “We are disappointed to be targeted by a small number of activists who don’t represent the 96 per cent of adults in Britain who choose milk every week, and we will ensure that supplies are maintained.  

“Dairy is affordable and packed with nutrients that benefit our bodies.

"During a cost of living crisis it is wrong to try to prevent it from reaching families, including vulnerable members of society.”