A LOCAL branch of the Compassion in World Farming group has been formed to cover Keighley and the Worth Valley.

It has been set up by Oxenhope resident Anne Taylor. She is looking for volunteers who want to promote better welfare for farm animals to join in campaigning and fundraising events.

The UK-based Compassion in World Farming is a registered charity. It was founded by a British farmer 50 years ago in response to the impact of modern, intensive factory farming practices.

Mrs Taylor said: “I decided to form a local Compassion group after learning about the horrors of factory farming which accounts for 70 per cent of the meat and dairy production in the UK.

“Most people are unaware of the cruelty endured by factory farmed animals, lulled into a false belief by images on meat and dairy products of animals happily grazing in fields.

“It’s important we know the truth behind where our food comes from and that consumers are able to make informed decisions.

“One of Compassion’s campaigns, ‘Honest Labelling’, is for it to be a legal requirement that all meat and dairy products are clearly labelled, giving information about the system farm animals are living in, just as it is now with eggs.

“By joining this group people can make positive changes to farm animals and discover how the increasingly high consumption of meat and dairy products from factory farms is affecting their health and the environment.” People can get involved by contacting Mrs Taylor at keighleyciwf@gmail.com