FOUR activists were removed from the Argus Biomass conference today after disrupting the Drax-sponsored event.

Posing as conference attendees, they interrupted a keynote speech by Drax chief sustainability officer Miguel Veiga-Pestana, challenging him on the company’s sustainability record and shouting: “Drax poisons people.”

The wood-burning power plant in Yorkshire, which claims to be sustainable, was recently awarded new government subsidies. 

However, a BBC investigation found that Drax had been cutting wood from environmentally important forests in Canada and the firm has been fined by Ofgem for inaccurately reporting data on the sourcing of wood pellets. 

Sam Simons from campaign group Axe Drax said: ”That Drax is giving a keynote speech telling the rest of the industry how they successfully lied to the government to fund their tree-burning scam with billions of pounds of our money is a disgrace. 

“What they should be saying is that Drax pellet plants are poisoning communities whilst destroying vital forests.

“There is no future for Drax or the tree-burning industry.”

Drax was approached for comment.