ANIMAL rights protesters have taken to the roof of the Darlington Farmers Mart in protest against what they say is an industry that 'violates' animals.
At 4am this morning (Saturday May 28), animal rights activists from the Animal Justice Project climbed the roof of the flagship National Beef Association (NBA) 2022 Expo with 15 metre banners and flares.
They say they plan on staying up there indefinitely.
The industry event, hosted at Darlington Farmers Auction Mart (DFAM), is the largest of its kind in the UK - with agricultural industry leaders, DEFRA representatives and 5,000 beef farmers expected to attend over the weekend.
Animal Justice Project has targeted the Expo to call for an end to animal agriculture due to what they say is a 'violation of animal rights'.
A spokesperson for Animal Justice Project on the ground, alongside several dozen protestors holding placards and banners, said that the activists had scaled the building in the early hours of this morning.
He said: “Climbers have been up there for hours and are determined to stay there to make their message heard."
The banners, which can be seen from the air and by event attendees as they enter the livestock auction, read ‘end animal agriculture’ and ‘farming violates the rights of animals’.
Police are present on the scene and later made five arrests.
The Animal Justice Project spokesperson says the group's aim 'is not to be popular, but to advocate for the rights of animals'.
The Darlington Farmers Mart is said to be a ‘state-of-the-art’ livestock auction trading in over 250,000 calves, sheep, horses and cows a year.
This weekend's Expo, hosted by the National Beef Association (NBA) is as a celebration of the ‘best in British’.
Speakers at the event include the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, Labour MP, Daniel Zeichner, and the Head of Agricultural Sectors at DEFRA.
Mark Dent, chairman of the mart said he appreciated people’s right to protest but he did not agree with those causing ‘criminal damage and aggravated trespass’ whilst wearing masks.
He said: “Why should anyone listen to you when you don’t even have the courage to show your face?
“We are all here, very proud of our industry and what we do for the food industry.
“We all have things we don’t agree with, but if you are going to stand behind what you believe in, have the decency to show your face.”
He added: “They are not going to convert anybody here, so quite frankly they are being laughed at.”
Neil Shand, chief executive of the National Beef Association, said: "We understand that there are people in the country who don’t want this industry, but it is a mainstay of rural life and they won’t change the mindset of people coming through the gates.”
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