Anti-hunt group calls for vegan market boycott of WWF and RSPB as ‘killers of wildlife’

ONE of Britain’s biggest vegan events has become embroiled in a row between animal rights campaigners and two of the country’s oldest nature charities.

Activists have called for customers at Vegan Markets’ events around the country to boycott stalls run by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

They claim both charities support forms of hunting and culling and should not be present at any events promoting veganism and cruelty free lifestyles.

Hunt Saboteurs leafleted a recent Vegan Market Co event in Derby, one of 50 held by the company at towns and cities around the UK, calling on the public to shun the WWF and RSPB’S stalls.

In a Facebook post, Derby Hunt Saboteurs, who had been refused a stall at the market because they lacked public liability insurance, stated: “It came to our attention that the Derby Vegan Market had two questionable stall holders at a supposedly ‘vegan’ event.

“WWF was founded in 1961 by a group of wealthy trophy hunters. They still endorse the killing of wild animals.

“The RSPB employs bloodsports enthusiasts to kill wildlife. In one year they killed 598 foxes.”

In a move signalling a divide within the animal welfare movement Derby Hunt Saboteurs called on visitors to Vegan Market Co to boycott the WWF and RSPB stalls. They wrote on social media: “While it is great to see more vegan events, please be careful who you are giving your money to and which organisations you choose to support.”

Supporters of the hunt saboteurs backed the call, with one stating: “They should be banned” and another claiming: “WWF are the worst, run by trophy hunters for trophy hunters, paid for by the gullible. As for the RSPB – giving wildlife a home, then killing it.”

The WWF and RSPB have hit back at calls for a boycott of their stalls at vegan markets. A WWF spokesman said: “WWF opposes any hunting that threatens species survival, and we do not support the hunting of an animal solely as a trophy.”

An RSPB spokesman said: “The decision to introduce any form of animal control is something we never take lightly and is always a last resort.

“The RSPB is transparent about why it is sometimes necessary as we try to protect and restore some of the UK’S most threatened wildlife and habitats.”