Animal rights rooftop protest at Darlington Famers Mart

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.

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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’.