Animal Feed Action

On Tuesday 20th June, 17 people entered, occupied and closed the BOCM Pauls animal feed processing plant in Alton, Hampshire. BOCM Pauls is a large manufacturer of animal feed in the UK, and since 50% of all genetically modified (GM) crops are used in animal feed, this means that BOCM Pauls probably use more GM products than any other UK company.

People arrived at the front gate at 1pm, while other groups made their way to the offices and the processing plants, and another closed the gates and hung a banner reading 'Resistance is Fertile!'.

In the offices the CCTV recording tape was removed and destroyed, a number of filing cabinet keys were thrown away and a 'CAPITAL' rubber stamp was stolen for future amusement. The be-suited office employees were talked to, but most expressed confusion or an antagonistic attitude. In the manufacturing plant it was different, with some of the occupiers having a cup of tea and some cool chats with the people working there - maybe next time there’ll even play football!

After an hour or so four police turned up. Slightly baffled, they stopped a macho truck driver from starting a fight with people blocking the gate. After some faffing they gave a deadline - leave or be arrested. There was an impromptu get together, they they were given the occupiers decision - that they would stay until 4.30pm and leave then, not before. And that’s what happened. No arrests.