Following a planned occupation of Smithfield Meat Market in the City of London in opposition to the meat industry by animal rights group Animal Rebellion, the Countryside Alliance publicly stated that the group's activities would put the livelihoods of farmers and traders at risk. Speaking to The Telegraph newspaper, The CA's Chief Executive Tim Bonner said: "Their idea of a day out is to cause misery to others. They (Animal Rebellion) mask their political driven agenda by pretending to care about animals. They are fuelled by hatred of people and those that opt for an alternative lifestyle to them." A spokesman for the Countryside Alliance attended the occupation on 7 October 2019 to record a public video, opposing Animal Rebellion and calling on consumers to back UK farmers and sustainable meat production.