Activists Target Reading Festival Over Its Partnership With McDonald's

Earlier this month, Kerrang! reported that McDonald's would be giving away free chicken McNuggets at Reading festival as part of a promotional campaign.

But today (August 23), as Reading festival starts in earnest, animal rights group The Humane League are leading a counter-campaign against Reading's decision to work with McDonald's. The group have sent an open letter to organisers Festival Republic, citing poor animal welfare, irresponsible climate impact and food wastage amongst its chief concerns.

"At a time when other festivals are taking steps to limit their environmental impact, Reading has decided to fly in the face of such progress," says Vicky Bond, managing director of The Humane League UK. "It makes bold statements about sourcing foods with ‘the highest standards of welfare possible’ and reducing food waste, and yet its actions do not match its words. Not only has McDonald’s failed to make basic welfare improvements for chickens but in giving away masses of free chicken, it is significantly contributing to food waste.

"At other festivals where McDonald’s has done this giveaway, we have seen cartons of uneaten nuggets abandoned on the ground. Does Festival Republic think that life is this cheap and that our planet is not worth protecting? Is this the reputation it wishes to create for itself?"

The Humane League will be outside the gates of Reading festival today, encouraging festival-goers to boycott McNuggets.

Kerrang! has reached out to Festival Republic for comment.

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