More support for crop farmers needed, says The Vegan Society

NEWS RELEASE

IMMEDIATE

MORE SUPPORT FOR CROP FARMERS NEEDED, SAYS THE VEGAN SOCIETY

Action on rural livelihoods and climate change emissions from farming is urgently needed.

Recognising the strengths and diversity of the UK's plant-based agriculture is fundamental to tackling these issues, says The Vegan Society, which welcomes wider debate in this area following yesterday's appointment of Kerry McCarthy MP, a vegan for over 20 years, as the new Shadow Secretary for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

"We have the utmost confidence in Kerry McCarthy in her new role as the shadow Defra minister. We will also seek to work more closely with the Government Defra minister, Liz Truss, and hope that cross-party agreements can be reached on various issues, farmers' livelihoods in particular," said Jasmijn de Boo, CEO of The Vegan Society.

"There is common ground: we all want environmental and food sustainability, and a long term future for farmers. McCarthy's track record of compassion in the Commons is conducive for far greater discussion on these very issues.

"We support farmers and growers, and now is the time to act. Government subsidies for farmers wishing to move towards sustainable crop farming is the best next step," de Boo added.

News of McCarthy's appointment comes less than two weeks before The Vegan Society launches its latest campaign, Grow Green, at the Labour Party Conference.

For more information about Grow Green and its accompanying report, please contact Jimmy Pierce, Media Manager. media@vegansociety.com / 0121 523 1738 (office) / 07931 819 508 (out of hours).

JASMIJN DE BOO IS AVAILABLE FOR TV, RADIO, OR WRITTEN PRESS INTERVIEW AT SHORT NOTICE

The Vegan Society is a registered educational charity (no. 279228) that provides information and guidance on various aspects of veganism, including to new and potential vegans, caterers, healthcare professionals, educators and the media. Visit www.vegansociety.com for more information.