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Today is #WorldFarmAnimalsDay, a day devoted to the memory of the billions of animals raised and killed for food every year.
This year, we acknowledge the new levels of preventable animal suffering caused globally by animal farming and consumption throughout 2020. 1/11
This year, we acknowledge the new levels of preventable animal suffering caused globally by animal farming and consumption throughout 2020. 1/11
The outbreak of #COVID19 led to disruptions that impacted farmed animals in numerous ways.
Despite welfare concerns due to prolonged travel time caused by border closures and quarantine measures, live animal transport continued during the #pandemic. 2/11 https://sentientmedia.org/closed-borders-and-quarantine-measures-pose-direct-threat-to-transport-animal-welfare/
Despite welfare concerns due to prolonged travel time caused by border closures and quarantine measures, live animal transport continued during the #pandemic. 2/11 https://sentientmedia.org/closed-borders-and-quarantine-measures-pose-direct-threat-to-transport-animal-welfare/
When slaughterhouses shut down because of #COVID19 outbreaks, tens of millions of pigs, chickens, and cows were killed and disposed of.
Producers "depopulated" animals by gunshot, suffocation, blunt-force trauma, or shutting off ventilation systems. 3/11 https://sentientmedia.org/gassed-shot-and-suffocated-how-meat-companies-are-killing-farmed-animals-during-covid-19/
Producers "depopulated" animals by gunshot, suffocation, blunt-force trauma, or shutting off ventilation systems. 3/11 https://sentientmedia.org/gassed-shot-and-suffocated-how-meat-companies-are-killing-farmed-animals-during-covid-19/
During the #pandemic, @USDAFoodSafety allowed several poultry plants to increase line speeds from 140 to 175 birds per minute.
The new kill speed required food inspectors to assess three birds per second & raised serious concerns for animal welfare. 4/11 https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/09/business/pork-factory-regulations.html
The new kill speed required food inspectors to assess three birds per second & raised serious concerns for animal welfare. 4/11 https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/09/business/pork-factory-regulations.html
Though the disruption of meat supply led to increased interest in meat alternatives, global meat consumption is rising.
India, for example, continues to shift from vegetarian to meat-heavier diets leading to more animals raised and killed for food. 5/11 https://sentientmedia.org/in-veg-friendly-india-meat-consumption-is-on-the-rise/
India, for example, continues to shift from vegetarian to meat-heavier diets leading to more animals raised and killed for food. 5/11 https://sentientmedia.org/in-veg-friendly-india-meat-consumption-is-on-the-rise/
Farmed animal advocates have also faced new obstacles in 2020.
Despite animal farming being a leading cause of biodiversity loss and the #ClimateCrisis, UK's @TerrorismPolice chose to refer to animal advocacy as "extremism" in an official document. 6/11 https://sentientmedia.org/the-narrative-that-animal-rights-activism-is-extremism-must-stop/
Despite animal farming being a leading cause of biodiversity loss and the #ClimateCrisis, UK's @TerrorismPolice chose to refer to animal advocacy as "extremism" in an official document. 6/11 https://sentientmedia.org/the-narrative-that-animal-rights-activism-is-extremism-must-stop/
New anti-whistleblower laws, "ag-gag" laws, further complicated #animal advocacy in 2020.
In Canada, the Ontario Government passed a law that makes it an offense to interfere with motor vehicles transporting farm animals. 7/11 https://sentientmedia.org/covid-19-demonstrating-risks-of-ontarios-proposed-ag-gag-law/
In Canada, the Ontario Government passed a law that makes it an offense to interfere with motor vehicles transporting farm animals. 7/11 https://sentientmedia.org/covid-19-demonstrating-risks-of-ontarios-proposed-ag-gag-law/
At the same time, food companies market products in ways that ignore farmed animals' reality.
In May, a judge dismissed a lawsuit against @benandjerrys for its "happy cows" campaign, arguing the term “happy” only represented the seller’s opinion." 8/11 https://www.natlawreview.com/article/legen-dairy-victory-ben-jerry-s-wins-happy-cows-false-advertising-lawsuit
In May, a judge dismissed a lawsuit against @benandjerrys for its "happy cows" campaign, arguing the term “happy” only represented the seller’s opinion." 8/11 https://www.natlawreview.com/article/legen-dairy-victory-ben-jerry-s-wins-happy-cows-false-advertising-lawsuit
2020 also had a few silver linings for farmed animals.
Thanks to initiatives by companies like @MiyokosCreamery and organizations like @MercyForAnimals, farmers are choosing to transition from animal-based to #PlantBased food production. 9/11 https://sentientmedia.org/why-some-farmers-are-making-the-switch-to-more-sustainable-agriculture/
Thanks to initiatives by companies like @MiyokosCreamery and organizations like @MercyForAnimals, farmers are choosing to transition from animal-based to #PlantBased food production. 9/11 https://sentientmedia.org/why-some-farmers-are-making-the-switch-to-more-sustainable-agriculture/
Further, fast-food chains, supermarkets, and other corporations continue adding plant-based alternatives to their product range.
This week, @Tesco, the UK’s largest supermarket, committed to increasing sales of meat alternatives by 300% by 2025. 10/11 https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/sep/29/tesco-sets-300-per-cent-sales-target-for-plant-based-alternatives-to-meat
This week, @Tesco, the UK’s largest supermarket, committed to increasing sales of meat alternatives by 300% by 2025. 10/11 https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/sep/29/tesco-sets-300-per-cent-sales-target-for-plant-based-alternatives-to-meat
Take action this #WorldFarmAnimalsDay by holding one of the largest US food companies, @TysonFoods, accountable.
Join @TheHumaneLeague in demanding improved conditions for workers & animals and a transition from animal-based to plant-based protein. 11/11 https://thehumaneleague.org/broken-food-system
Join @TheHumaneLeague in demanding improved conditions for workers & animals and a transition from animal-based to plant-based protein. 11/11 https://thehumaneleague.org/broken-food-system
