VEGAN activists described as “militant” for publishing a detailed map of some 9,000 dairy farms say they had no intention of being aggressive.

But farmers are not convinced and say the activists are generalising.

Projectcalf.com was set up by vegan activists to share images and information about dairy cows in England.

The website includes a map detailing the addresses of thousands of farmers in England and how to access their farms if there is a public footpath.

It then lists how to “document” information, “protest peacefully” and “expose” the “dirty business” of farmers.

David Exwood, South East chairman for the National Farmers Union said he understood the right to protest.

But he said turning up on farms unannounced could be dangerous, especially with machinery and cows shy of crowds.

He said: “The bottom line is I think everyone has the right to protest, but this map is maybe a step too far.

“It just seems a bit

unnecessary.

“Yes they are interested in the farms and want to see the animals. But some farmers live there with their families and it’s very intrusive having protesters turn up.”

Mr Exwood said the map was misleading, and not all farmers should be put into the same bracket and branded on a map of “investigation”.

He said: “It’s in the best interest of the farmers to look after their animals.

“We have an incredibly sustainable set-up where we are. They are generalising farm practices.

“At the end of the day, we have nothing to hide here but there is nothing we can do to stop them.

“You can’t exactly barricade an entire farm.”

He said he wants to ask the vegan activists to attend farmers’ open days hosted in June to ask questions and discuss farming practices in person.

He said: “I think it’s so important some of these activists actually visit some of these farms, see them for themselves and talk to the farmers.”

A spokeswoman for Project Calf said the group was acting legally and peacefully.

She said: “We are not there to intimidate, but simply to document and take pictures of the cows, especially when we see calves in separation pens.

“We understand that farmers are concerned but everything we did with the map has been legal.

“The information was already online anyway. “

She said information on the dairy industry online is out of date and the group feel it is necessary to attend farms and document their own material.