Factory Forming Protest Petition

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30560, 1 October 1964, Page 6

Factory Forming Protest Petition

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

LONDON, Sept. 30 A petition for the abolition of “factory farming” in Britain has been signed by a quarter of a million people and deposited at the Ministry of Agriculture in White-

hall. It was delivered after a two-mile march by 400 people —nearly all women—carrying protest banners. One woman held a small placard containing the word “vile.” The deputation received a message from the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Christopher Soames, pledging that the Government would act as soon as they received the report of a technical committee. This was set up in June to look into the welfare of animals subjected to intensive fanning. Lower Prices Mr Soames pointed to the benefits which intensive farming had conferred on the housewife through prices lower than they otherwise would be. “On the other hand,” he continued, “we must ensure that the animals are properly cared for during their comparatively short life and certainly there must be no crqelty. I have promised that as soon as we have the

committee’s report it will be published an dthe Government will act upon it.”