Glastonbury founder says festival is under threat because his cows are being killed by discarded tent pegs
Last updated at 15:22 13 March 2008
Michael Eavis: The Glastonbury founder says that metal tent pegs left in the ground are killing his cows
Mr Eavis, 72, who has been hosting the event since 1970, said his award-winning Holstein Friesians had been choking on metal spikes left in the grounds of Worthy Farm by campers at last year's event.
To combat the problem this June, more than a million biodegradable tent pegs will be given out as 137,500 revellers arrive for the event, expected to feature rapper Jay-Z, Kings Of Leon and The Verve.
Dairy farmer Mr Eavis said he had feared for the future of the event after discovering his cows dead.
Mr Eavis, who refused to say how many of his herd of 360 had been killed, said: "The problem has been getting so bad in recent years I really began to worry about the future of the farm.
"Thousands of pegs are left in the ground and they cause horrific damage to my cows.
"We have been milking up here for 150 years so the milk business is still the most important thing for us.
"The festival is fun but the farm is our bread and butter.
"We hope these pegs are the answer. The cows can literally eat the things."
The eco-friendly pegs, made from wheat and potatoes, are being jointly partly-paid for by Millets, the outdoor clothing and equipment retailer.
Each person with a tent will be handed a pack of ten tent pegs as they arrive on site over the weekend of June 27 to 29.
When the biodegradable tent pegs are left in the ground they are broken down by microbes in the soil, much like any organic matter. They start to disintegrate within a few weeks.
During today's press conference, Eavis said the festival would be the "greenest Glastonbury possible".
He also said rumours Thom Yorke, of Radiohead, had snubbed Glastonbury for environmental reasons were "rubbish".
Mr Eavis said: "Glastonbury Festival was founded in 1970, long before people began to become concerned about climate change. Yet even then all the milk and the cider and the straw came from the farm. We were green then and we are green now.
"Our big campaign this year is 'love the farm - leave no trace'. For me, that's what life here is all about."
Mr Eavis's daughter, Emily, said she believed booking Jay-Z as headliner would add a "bombastic" element to the event.
Registration for tickets closes at midnight tomorrow.
The full line-up for the event will be released at the beginning of June, organisers said.
- Beach goer captures aftermath of beach explosion
- Horrifying moment slingshot ride cable SNAPS
- Solar cycle: The sun's 11-year heartbeat explained
- First look behind the scenes: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
- 'Just take the f****** picture': Prince Philip loses his...
- 'What the f***?' Can you hear McDonald's Minions swearing?
- 'Let's go upstairs' dog reacts to owners command with guilty...
- Bicycle thief rips woman's phone out of her ands
- Woman throws HUGE tantrum after her phone battery died
- Innovative Tangle Teezer blow-drying brush is hugely popular
- Shocking moment taxi refuses to stop after hitting pram
- Couple parody Shut Up and Dance to announce pregnancy
- Isis's female Gestapo wreaking terror on their own sex: They...
- Police left baffled by mystery beach explosion that launched...
- And after the wedding came the party! Glamorous Nicky Hilton...
- 'Yes my hands are full! Sometimes with two glasses of wine':...
- Trump takes incendiary immigration views to GOP faithful:...
- Second Tunisia terror attack foiled: Five ISIS extremists...
- The lonely Lothario: He bathed in bubbly, out-caroused...
- When's it your turn, Paris? Awkward moment Hilton heiress...
- Look, no hands! Unstoppable Williams wins the 'Serena Slam'...
- Musician Beck sells his surprisingly ordinary looking...
- How doctor dubbed 'the worst fraudster in American history'...
- Six teens 'murdered New Mexico father on his driveway as...