EXTINCTION Rebellion members rallied outside the Examination School building on High Street where a national farming conference is taking place.

Today was the first day of this year’s Oxford Farming Conference, which will continue until Thursday this week.

Climate change activists said they aimed to raise awareness of the ‘contribution of the current food system to the climate emergency’.

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Oxford Mail:

The event, which has been held in the city centre for 80 years, hosted British businessman and farmer Lord Curry who addressed the conference goers.

Attendees were met by Extinction Rebellion’s marching Red Brigade, recognised by their white face paint and red cloaks.

Protesters also held fake copies of newspapers filled with stories that highlighted global issues blamed on modern farming.

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Oxford Mail:

Others were waving placards that read ‘Soil not oil. Pesticides destroy natural resources’ and ‘Supermarkets! Your price wars and processed foods created: intensive farming and ecological crisis’.

The Oxford branch of XR said it wanted to create a dialogue with attendees of the conference around possible solutions and approaches to transform the food system, and protest the influence on farmers by big corporations.

Tomorrow the group will continue with more ‘actions and outreach’ starting at 8.45am to 9.30am.