McDonald's blockade: Animal Rebellion protest at burger factory

A giant Happy Meal box and bamboo towers have been set up at the entrance to OSI Food Solutions in Scunthorpe

Animal rights protesters have set up a blockade outside one of McDonald's main UK suppliers.

Activists from Animal Rebellion have blocked the gates to the OSI Food Solutions site in Scunthorpe with a giant Happy Meal box and bamboo towers.

The group has demanded the fast food giant "switch to a fully plant-based food menu by 2025".

Humberside Police said about 50 protesters were present. McDonald's and OSI have been contacted for comment.

Protesters claim the plant produces three million beef patties a day and is the only McDonald's burger factory in the UK.

In a company brochure OSI describes itself as the "exclusive supplier of red meat products" to the chain's 1,400 UK branches.

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Protester Harley McDonald-Eckershall said the group aimed to "prevent production and distribution happening at the site".

"Our food systems need to change quite dramatically and we think McDonald's can lead the way," she said.

"It seems to come back on the consumers to make choices to improve the world and fix the climate crisis but really it should be these big companies that are making these choices."

Activists scaled bamboo structures at the site entrance and let off flares

In a statement, Animal Rebellion said it would remain at site "as long as needed to cause massive disruption" but would end the blockade if McDonald's made a commitment to "becoming 20% plant-based within one year".

Spokesperson Rose Patterson said the firm was just "a symbol of the system" the group was trying to change.

"We're living in a time where massive change is possible, but our window to act on the climate crisis is closing quickly," she said.

"To save ourselves and the future of our children, we must start transitioning towards a plant-based food system."

At the scene - Caroline Bilton, BBC Look North

Animal Rebellion protesters arrived here in the early hours of the morning. It didn't take them long to establish themselves and by the looks of things they are here for the long haul.

There are about 20 tents, a canteen, toilet tents, bamboo structures, vehicles adorned with giant posters calling for McDonald's to be plant-based by 2025.

The factory here in Scunthorpe is said to produce millions of patties every week for McDonald's.

It's believed to employ about 170 people. Workers are still inside and we believe production is continuing for the time being.

It's a peaceful protest and there are about 50 people here being watched over by 20 police officers.

Animal Rebellion say they want to start a dialogue but at the moment McDonald's is staying quiet.

In May, Animal Rebellion staged similar blockades at four McDonald's distribution centres.

The company did not reveal whether stocks at its branches were affected, but warned customers they may "face disappointment" when ordering at the time of the protests.

Humberside Police said they were "liaising with both sides to address concerns"

Humberside Police said officers in Scunthorpe were "liaising with all sides to address concerns".

"Officers are in attendance in order to allow people to go about their lawful business and to protect the right of individuals to take part and exercise their right to peaceful protest," the force said.

It said roads in and around the industrial estate were unaffected.

Animal Rebellion describes itself as "a mass movement that uses nonviolent civil disobedience to bring about a transition to a just and sustainable plant-based food system".