Animal lovers to protest in the nude at meet
Brisbane, Apr 27 (UNI) A 40-strong group of protesters from Animal Liberation branches across Australia will descend on the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre tomorrow for a nude protest against the 2006 World Meat Congress being held here.
More than 600 members of the global beef and livestock industry are attending the three-day event, which began today.
Animal Liberation President Angie Stephenson said activists were putting up banners at the venue and preparing for street march through Brisbane and inner-city South Bank on Saturday.
''The meat industry is responsible for the deaths of 50 billion animals each year ''many of whom suffer terribly before their premature death,'' Ms Stephenson said.
''Meat harms human health and ... factory farming is an environmental disaster.
We categorically oppose the meat industry's moves to expand,'' she added.
Meat and Livestock Australia chairman Don Heatley said the event, themed "2020: Meat the road ahead", was a "wonderful opportunity" for Australia to showcase the industry.
He said, the event would focus on global trends, innovations and issues affecting the industry and address ''consumers, community, supply and trade policy.'' ''Our priorities are animal welfare and food safety and the global meat trade will do all it can to meet government and consumer expectations in these areas,'' Mr Heatley said.
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