McDonald’s depots blockaded by animal rights protesters threatening supply to 1,300 UK branches

ANIMAL rights protesters have blockaded every McDonald's depot in the UK - threatening the supply of burgers to all of the chain's 1,300 UK branches.

More than 50 campaigners from Animal Rebellion are using 'trucks and bamboo' to seal off the company's distribution centres in Hemel Hempstead, Basingstoke, Coventry and Heywood.

Animal rights campaigners have blockaded all four McDonald's depots - meaning lorries can't travel to any of the UK's 1,300 branches
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Animal rights campaigners have blockaded all four McDonald's depots - meaning lorries can't travel to any of the UK's 1,300 branchesCredit: Alamy
The group daubed red paint over the chain's logo
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The group daubed red paint over the chain's logoCredit: Getty
And although the impact of the blockade isn't yet known, McDonald's says some customers might be disappointed
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And although the impact of the blockade isn't yet known, McDonald's says some customers might be disappointedCredit: PA

Lorries are currently unable to leave the depots - with bosses at the eatery admitting some customers may face disappointment with their orders.

The activists, who began their sit-in at 4.30am, say they want McDonald's to commit to becoming fully plant-based by 2025 - and plan to remain at the sites for at least 24 hours.

The move will likely cause significant disruption to the McDonald's supply chain.

However, it's not yet known if the 3.5million people who visit a branch every day in the UK will be unable to order certain items off the menu.

Videos posted online show the activists building huge structures from bamboo and sitting on top of lorries ready to take food to branches.

In footage, one protester shows parked-up lorries and says: "They won't be leaving today.

"We've shut the whole place down and not only that, we've shut down distribution centres across the country.

"Four distribution centres across the country, which are the only McDonald's distribution centres in the UK.

"We've shut them all down today."

More than 3.8m people visit McDonald's branches every day in the UK
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More than 3.8m people visit McDonald's branches every day in the UKCredit: Alamy
The chain has apologised to customers for any inconvenience caused
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The chain has apologised to customers for any inconvenience causedCredit: Alamy
Animal Rebellion says it's 'allied' with Extinction Rebellion
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Animal Rebellion says it's 'allied' with Extinction RebellionCredit: Alamy
Campaigners have previously been involved in acts of civil disobedience in London
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Campaigners have previously been involved in acts of civil disobedience in LondonCredit: Alamy

A second was filmed lying on the ground wrapped in a silver foil blanket for warmth.

She said: "It just feels like the absolute right thing to do.

"I'm thrilled we've managed to do this today."

Animal Rebellion spokesman James Ozden said the action was aimed at calling out the animal agriculture industry for its part in the global climate crisis.

“The meat and dairy industry is destroying our planet: causing huge amounts of rainforest deforestation, emitting immense quantities of greenhouse gases and killing billions of animals each year,” he said.

“The only sustainable and realistic way to feed ten billion people is with a plant-based food system.

"Organic, free-range and ‘sustainable’ animal-based options simply aren’t good enough.”

Animal Rebellion says it's in "alliance" with Extinction Rebellion, although the two groups aren't the same.

The group first demonstrated in 2019 when members joined 10,000 people to occupy Trafalgar Square in London.

Two months later, 1,500 volunteers took over Smithfields Market, the oldest meat market in the UK.

And campaigners are launching a six-day 'disrupt G7' campaign in JuneA McDonald's spokesperson said: "Our distribution centres are currently facing disruption.

"We are assessing the impact on deliveries to our restaurants and to menu items.

"We apologise to our customers for any disappointment caused."

The blockade will last for 24 hours, the campaigners say
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The blockade will last for 24 hours, the campaigners say
Protesters have built huge bamboo structures and are staging a sit-in
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Protesters have built huge bamboo structures and are staging a sit-in
Some have climbed onto lorries with banners
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Some have climbed onto lorries with bannersCredit: Twitter
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