Animal Justice Project (AJP), joined by green energy entrepreneur Dale Vince, has released an Open Letter urging Starbucks to pilot oat milk as the default option in one UK store — a first step towards a nationwide sustainability shift that would reduce reliance on dairy. The Open Letter, part of AJP’s Udderly Kind campaign, is backed by a broad coalition of supporters, including environmentalists, health professionals, charities, academics, celebrities, and 17 animal sanctuaries, all calling on Starbucks to change.
The Open Letter is to be released on Wednesday 5th November, the full Open Letter and list of signatories is available here.
The letter builds on AJP’s ongoing petition calling for a nationwide commitment, which is backed by thousands of customers who want to see meaningful change. It also follows from a Month of Action in June, which saw demonstrations up and down the country outside Starbucks stores. These were supported by online actions encouraging Starbucks to take this ethical step forward and become a green initiative leader.
According to the Rural Payments Agency last year alone, 364,646 dairy cows were slaughtered once their milk output dropped — and 36,517 calves, all under a month old, were killed. The campaign calls on Starbucks to show leadership by making oat milk the default in UK stores, which would encourage the purchasing of plant milks and reduce the reliance on dairy, thus reducing the number of cows and calves killed for milk.
Almost 12,000 people have signed AJP’s petition, but Starbucks has yet to agree to meet with campaigners or commit to a pilot. The Open Letter confronts Starbucks’ ongoing silence head-on.
Dr Sean Barrs, Animal Justice Project said:
“Starbucks has already shown they’re open to change — their Shanghai store of the future offers oat milk as the default. We’re urging them to take the next step by piloting the same approach in the UK, with a view to scaling it strategically. For the sake of the planet and the countless cows trapped on dairy farms, Starbucks must act. Silence is not leadership.”
Dale Vince Backs the Campaign:
Vegan businessman, environmental activist and founder of Ecotricity, Dale Vince, OBE, endorsed the demand:
“I’m signing this Open Letter because oat milk is environmentally and morally better than cow’s milk and actually tastes better.”
The letter has 85 signatories and is also backed by George Monbiot, Heather Mills, and a number of leading academics from a wide range of disciplines alongside environmental charities like Plant Based Treaty and Better Food Foundation.
Oat as Default Works:
Oat milk is the default across University College London’s Student Union cafés and Blue Bottle Coffee in the US. Both cite environmental reasoning for the switch and have seen a huge success with this scheme for several years.
Research from Faunalytics shows that plant-based default programs can increase the selection of plant-based options from 17.2% to a much higher percentage of 72.5%. Oat milk sales would likely increase at Starbucks if it was the default milk, helping them reach their sustainability targets; dairy is responsible for 22% of their global emissions.
Arla Controversy:
Arla is the sole supplier of cow’s milk to Starbucks in the UK. In March, AJP released an investigation into Lowfields Farm, an Arla-contracted mega-dairy in North Yorkshire. Footage captured violent abuse, including cows beaten with ropes, pliers and pipes, and one cow goaded 40 times to force her onto a slaughter lorry.
The video received national attention, with coverage in the BBC News, Independent, Daily Mail, and over 25 other media outlets. A subsequent on-site protest on April 5 featured on Greatest Hits Radio and BBC North Yorkshire.
Despite temporarily suspending Lowfields, Arla has now renewed its contract. Arla remains Starbucks UK’s exclusive dairy milk supplier, which prompted AJP’s extensive campaign efforts.
Starbucks’ Initial Response:
Following AJP’s investigation release in March a Starbucks spokesperson said:
“Please be assured that when it comes to the food and dairy we serve, social responsibility standards and animal welfare are a primary focus for Starbucks. We are grateful to you for raising the concerns outlined in your investigation.”
They added:
“Starbucks is proud to serve a range of dairy alternatives in the UK, and all Starbucks beverages can be made with dairy alternatives at no extra cost. We also offer a number of beverages made with oat milk by default and continue to innovate new products that make the most of dairy alternatives.”
Starbucks has so far refused to respond further to the campaign or engage with AJP. The Open Letter is a direct challenge to break this silence, and for Starbucks to build on the progress they have made.
Dr Alan Desmond Encourages Change:
NHS consultant and gastroenterologist, Dr Alan Desmond, advocates for oat milk and signed the Open Letter because:
“Cow’s milk is made for baby cows — so it’s no surprise that 70% of adults can’t even digest it. Oat milk is a gut-friendly alternative that supports better health — and delicious beverages — for everyone.”
Many facts about the dairy industry are completely unknown to the public; AJP’s investigations and subsequent campaigns expose the reality.
Public Misconceptions on Dairy
A YouGov survey commissioned by AJP earlier this year found major gaps in public knowledge in relation to the dairy industry, especially in regard to baby cows being taken from their mothers:
– 52% of Brits don’t know cows are impregnated annually to produce milk
– 83% don’t realise calves are taken from their mothers within 24 hours
– 82% are unaware cows are killed by age 5–7 (natural lifespan: 20–30 years
Despite this, 32% of the public already support having oat milk as the default in cafés. Among Gen Z (ages 18–24), support rises to 44%—a clear sign of shifting attitudes. These percentages are set to rise as the public learns more about the realities of the dairy industry, and the environmental consequences of producing cow’s milk.
