The Friends of the Earth Food Chain campaign seeks to transform the future of the animal feed supply chain in the UK. This supply chain is currently highly dependent on soy as a main feedstock, much of which comes from plantations in South America at a high cost to the environment as massive deforestation takes place to make room for these plantations. This has a double whammy effect because (a) the areas cleared are incredibly rich in biodiversity and (b) the forests act as huge carbon sinks.

We are seeking to secure a Sustainable Livestock Bill through the Private Members Bill system which would:

• Shift subsidies away from factory farming
• Support farmers to grow their own animal feed
• Ensure an end to supermarket pressure on farmers to achieve low economic cost/high environmental impact supply chains

Two MPs from the Yorkshire and Humber region have been selected for the Private Members Ballot and subsequently have an opportunity to take our Bill forward. They are Greg Knight (East Yorkshire) and Nigel Adams (Selby and Ainsty).

We have widespread support for the campaign nationally for the Bill to go through. I wondered if you were able to communicate with any staff, volunteers, your great-aunt Ethel who may be constituents and ask their MP to take the Bill forward.

You can email Greg at http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/biodiversity/press_for_change/back_the_bill_greg_knight_23775.html and Nigel at http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/biodiversity/press_for_change/back_the_bill_nigel_adams_23812.html.

More details can be found here.