Minister calls for cut in soy to save rainforests28 July 2009
Soy grown to feed animals in factory farms is wiping out rainforest and making climate change worse.
And now climate change minister Joan Ruddock has called for us to stop importing so much of it.
The problem lies with where the animal feed is produced, and I would very much support a campaign which pushes for a big reduction in soy feed, grown on rainforest land, to feed our livestock in the UK.
Joan Ruddock MP, Minister for climate change
This is big news
She is the first Government minister to clearly state that we need to tackle the soy problem.
Our Food Chain Campaign is getting through to politicians.
Many of her fellow MPs - 241 of them so far - have also been busy signing parliamentary petition Early Day Motion 845.
This shows the rising concern over the damaging impacts of Britain's intensive meat and dairy system in Westminster.
A successful meeting
Ms Ruddock called for the changes at a meeting with Greenwich and Lewisham Friends of the Earth - and school children from Gordonbrock primary.
School children asked Joan Ruddock MP to fix the food chain
They invited her along to talk about the Food Chain Campaign - our campaign to tackle damaging impacts of intensive meat and dairy production.
They were delighted to hear that she shares their concerns.
More support needed
It's great news that Joan Ruddock supports our aims.
But one climate change minister isn't enough - we need the backing of as many MPs as possible.
Please ask your MP to fix the food chain today.
© Greenwich and Lewisham Friends of the Earth
