PRESS RELEASE

Mass Animal Rights Protest against the export of veal calves

Coventry Airport

Saturday 11th February 1995, 12.00 noon

On behalf of the many local animal rights groups protesting at Coventry Airport, Solihull Animal Aid would like to announce the staging of a mass demonstration against the export of week-old calves from Coventry (Baginton) Airport on Saturday 11th February 1995, starting at 12.00 noon. This demonstration is in support of the continuous demonstration and vigil at the airport by local groups and local residents.

Demonstrators will be calling on the Minister of Agriculture, William Waldegrave, to ban the export of all live animals. We want to stop the live export trade where animals regularly suffer horrific journeys of many days cramped into lorries without food or water only to spend their lives in horrific farming systems, many of which have been banned in the UK.

We will be protesting against Phoenix Aviation who are flying 4 flights of 100 calves per day from the airport. Phoenix Aviation have re-started their veal-calf flights after the recent crash of their 737 while attempting to land at the airport. Phoenix Aviation was recently exposed on national television where, despite assurances from the company that no calves were going to veal crate farms, calves exported by the company were shown tied into veal crates in appalling conditions.

Local animal rights and animal welfare protesters will be joined by groups from all over the country and local people in the demonstration which WILL attract numbers at least as large as those seen at the height of the protests at Shoreham. There will be guest speakers at the demonstration and one or two 'special events' - to be announced on the day. There will be excellent photo opportunities at the airport and representatives will be available for interview.

For more information contact
Mrs Ursula Bates, Secretary, Solihull Animal Aid
tel. 0564 776984

• To the live exports information page