Farmers and animal rights activists came face-to-face in an unexpectedly emotional exchange during Fonterra's Open Gates event. Protests organised by Mothers Against Dairy (MAD) were held at 11 properties involved in the dairy co-op's annual farm open day. MAD member Jessica Strathdee said up to 30 protesters attended each of the events, hoping to draw attention to the treatment of animals in the dairy industry. "In 2015, New Zealand legally recognised the sentience of animals, but this hasn't translated into anything of practical help for the animals being exploited to make a profit. READ MORE: * Many new welfare standards for dairy cattle 'already in place' * Got oat milk? Supermarkets report growth in plant-based product sales * Winter grazing taskforce 'more money down the drain' - Walker "It doesn't matter that they're a different species, they're still mothers and they're having their babies taken away and slaughtered." Fonterra spokeswoman Philippa Norman said there were "a small number of protesters at a couple of farms" and they hadn't hindered events. "We were aware of this group's plans ahead of time. We were happy to listen and answer any questions they had," she said in an emailed statement. Whanganui resident Rebecca Lee organised protest action at a property in Ashhurst, near Palmerston North, and said the group was surprised by its reception from farmers and Fonterra staff. "A woman from Fonterra came out and said it was OK for us to be there. A farm worker came out with a notepad and wrote down our concerns as vegans and as animal activists." While the exchange was mostly amicable, there were times it became heated. "We challenged them a bit and they challenged us and there was some emotive language used. "One of the farmers got quite emotional talking about farmers taking their own lives. It's obvious that farmers are feeling under pressure." Lee said the discussions were constructive but the protesters would have liked them to be longer. "If we'd been able to sit down and really discuss things, I think we could have achieved more." "We know this is hard for farmers but we also know the exploitation of animals for profit has to come to an end." Strathdee said the protesters had received a lot of support from the public and while its protest plans were kept quiet this year, the group would go public ahead of next year's events. "I think when we do that, it will just explode."
New Zealand dairy farmers and animal rights protesters came face to face during Fonterra's recent Open Gates event, as activists from Mothers Against Dairy (MAD) visited 11 of the cooperative's sites. The group was protesting against a new policy that would force them to pay for milk they don't produce.