The Alliance has hit back after animal rights activists called for the annual Sark Sheep Racing Festival to be banned.

The festival has taken place for 30 years and has been described as part of the island’s rural heritage. The race brings nearly 2,000 people to Sark to watch sheep race with teddy jockeys tied to their backs. All the money the event raises goes to a local trust which helps subsidise medical care in the island.

In previous years, more than £30,000 has been raised.

In typical fashion, the fringe group, PETA, has deliberately ignored the benefits of this local tradition, instead issuing their bizarre demands.

PETA’s “urgent” letter to the organising committee of the event stated that the sheep did not “consent” to taking part in the “confusing and stressful event”, and the group said that organisers were “exploiting animals for entertainment”.

In a statement, Mo Metcalf-Fisher, Director of External Affairs at the Countryside Alliance, said:

“PETA routinely target agricultural events and shows involving livestock with bizarre demands. I can only assume it’s for attention and designed to cause a stir. The group, however, are best ignored. 

“Sheep racing is a regular feature in many a show, enjoyed by families all over the UK. It should be allowed to continue, and I hope the annual Sark Sheep Race is a roaring success and raises lots of money for such an important local cause”.

This is far from the first time the fringe group has employed such attention-seeking antics.

Earlier this month, they called for a livestock parade at the Royal Highland Show to be scrapped and a statue to be erected in commemoration of the paraded animals. They also suggested a cortege of potatoes and squashes in its place.

Fortunately, their demands were ignored and this year’s Royal Highland Show was a roaring success.

The Countryside Alliance praises the Sark Sheep Racing Festival for the important work it does raising money and also encouraging engagement with the rural way of life.