Three people have been arrested after animal rights protesters scaled the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) head office in London to highlight the bird flu crisis and intensive farming. The Metropolitan Police were called shortly before 6:30am to reports that two individuals had climbed the outer wall of the building on Marsham Street, Westminster, which also houses the Home Office and other government departments.
The activists unfurled a large banner reading: 'Bird flu: our next pandemic. End animal agriculture.' Police confirmed that two women and one man have been detained on suspicion of criminal damage and causing a public nuisance. Video footage showed police riot vans and ambulances at the scene.
The protest was organised by the Animal Justice Project, which campaigns for an end to animal farming. A spokesperson said the action was intended to pressure DEFRA into taking meaningful steps to address bird flu, arguing that current measures are insufficient. The group claims that intensive farming practices contribute to the spread of infectious diseases like avian influenza.
This year, the UK has experienced an unprecedented outbreak of bird flu, leading to the culling of approximately four million birds. The government has declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) and ordered all poultry and captive birds in England to be kept indoors. However, industry leaders warn of potential shortages of turkeys at Christmas, with half of free-range birds affected.
