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Herds of charity activists dressed as cows infiltrated the capital's commute this morning (Tuesday 13 July 2010) to launch a new Friends of the Earth drive for rainforest-free food - ahead of a key Government speech on feeding Britain later today.

The environmental campaigning charity staged the action to highlight the hidden chain linking meat and dairy from British factory farms to wildlife and rainforest destruction in South America - and get people to take action by joining the MOOvement for rainforest-free food at www.jointhemoovement.com.

Animals in British factory farms are fed soy grown by destroying forests and other natural habitats in South America. Friends of the Earth wants people to back a strong new law that supports British farmers to feed animals a home- grown, planet-friendly diet.

The coMOOte takes place on the same day as Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman delivers a keynote speech at a farming and food conference, 'Feeding Britain Two', run by the Smith Institute.

Friends of the Earth's senior food campaigner, Vicki Hird, said:

"When it comes to food and farming, Ministers are ignoring the meatiest issue of all - the massive environmental hoofprint of our factory farms.

"The Government is propping up a system that links the meat and dairy on our plates to wildlife and rainforest destruction in South America.

"We don't need planet-wrecking factory farms to feed a growing population - and we don't all need to go veggie either.

"Ministers must back our new law to help farmers to feed animals a home-grown diet, and people to eat less and better meat."

Notes to Editors:

1.   You can join Friends of the Earth's MOOvement at www.jointhemoovement.com .

2.   Friends of the Earth is calling on MPs to reduce the environmental and

social damage caused by the meat and dairy industry by backing the Sustainable Livestock Bill. For more information, see http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/food_bill_24062010.html.

3.   Caroline Spelman, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, will be speaking at the Smith Institute's 'Feeding Britain Two: The Demand Side' event on Tuesday 13 July. For more information, visit:
http://www.smith-institute.org.uk/upcoming.

4.   For more information on the impacts of the meat and dairy sector, see Friends of the Earth's 'What's feeding our food?' report at: http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/livestock_impacts.pdf

5.   Friends of the Earth believes the environment is for everyone. We want a healthy planet and a good quality of life for all those who live on it. We inspire people to act together for a thriving environment. More than 90 per cent of our income comes from individuals so we rely on donations to continue our vital work. For further information visit www.foe.co.uk.