DEMONSTRATORS in central Oxford have called for biscuit company Oreo to stop using palm oil.

On Saturday, Oxfordshire Greenpeace joined a global campaign to demand that 'rainforest destruction for palm oil' ends.

The initiative follows the success of a banned Iceland advert highlighting the plight of orangutans as a result of palm oil's production.

Greenpeace are highlighting actions 'causing the destruction of rainforest' in the supply chain of Mondelez, Oreo's parent company, in the hope of persuading other brands to use more responsibly-sourced products.

Volunteers in Queen Street invited passersby to sign a petition.

Emma Tinker, a Greenpeace volunteer from Oxford, said: ‘‘It would be great to be able to enjoy Oreo cookies with a clear conscience but rainforest destruction leaves a bad taste. That’s why here in Oxford we’re calling on Oreo cookies to drop dirty palm oil.”

Environmentalists are concerned by the impact of clearing forests to provide room for palm oil plantations.

Palm oil is a vegetable oil found in various high street products.

In a statement, Mondelez said it was 'committed to eradicating deforestation in the palm oil supply', adding that it was 'actively working' with suppliers to ensure their palm oil is 'fully traceable'. It said it would exclude suppliers that did not meet 'its principles', including 12 'as a result of breaches'.

Meanwhile, another Saturday protest, outside Barclays Bank in Cornmarket Street, joined a national movement calling for action on climate change.

The Extinction Rebellion demonstration was part of a nationwide day of action which saw thousands take to the streets of London.

Oxford Mail:

A handful of protesters called for action on fossil fuels.

One, Ally Stott, said: "This effects everyone and everything. It's ok to feel the anxiety that [climate breakdown] brings and that can be a point of connection for people."