LCA Last Chance for
Animals
February 2018
The expanding market of non-dairy alternatives and accelerating widespread disapproval of animal agriculture has left the dairy industry worried and desperate.
Dairy = nasty
The expanding market of non-dairy alternatives and accelerating
widespread disapproval of animal agriculture has left the dairy industry
worried and desperate. A leading dairy consultant stated at a conference
last month that if the vegan movement continues to succeed, "We will not
have a dairy industry in five to ten years." In an attempt to counteract
veganism and paint this dying industry in a positive light, dairy marketers
coined the term ‘Februdairy.’ A spinoff and retaliation to the hugely
successful Veganuary campaign, Februdairy aims to mislead the public into
believing in the many myths of "humane," "healthy," and "sustainable" dairy.
Consumers are increasingly choosing plant-based alternatives over
cruelty-laden dairy products. Delicious non-dairy milk, yoghurt, cheese, and
ice cream are ubiquitous in grocery stores across the world, making it
easier than ever to choose compassion over cruelty. Read on to learn five
reasons why so many people are leaving dairy products off the menu.
1. Destroys Motherhood
Dairy cows—who feel the same unwavering love for their offspring as
humans—have their motherhood stripped from them as soon as they give birth.
After nine long months of pregnancy, these mothers face inconceivable
emotional trauma when farmers forcibly tear their newborns away to prevent
them from nursing. In order for the dairy industry to be profitable, farmers
cannot allow calves to drink the milk that, by nature, is intended for them.
As a result, every dairy product purchased—even those stamped with
deceivingly happy images—directly contributes to the destruction of sacred
familial bonds.
Image from
Edgar's Mission
2. Dairy = Veal
Many people are appalled by the idea of eating veal (the meat of calves as
young as a few weeks old). However, few people are aware that the dairy
industry and veal industry are one and the same. Male calves are useless to
the dairy industry due to their inability to produce milk. As a result, they
are routinely killed to be sold for veal. Many compassionate consumers have
decided to take a stand against the slaughter of innocent babies by refusing
to support the dairy industry.
Image from Jo-Anne McArthur,
WeAnimals.org
3. Disposable Lives
When a cow becomes exhausted after years of anguish and abuse, her body is
no longer profitable. She will be disposed of—dragged to slaughter, commonly
while still pregnant. Viewed as mere milk machines that exist for human
purposes, cows—who are sensitive and intelligent animals with unique
personalities—are thrown away without a second thought as soon as their
usefulness expires. Most "hamburger" is produced from dead dairy cows. The
inherent cruelty required to produce dairy, on both factory farms and
“humane” farms, is antithetical to the most fundamental beliefs of animal
lovers.
4. Health
Contrary to multibillion dollar dairy ad campaigns, milk is not a health
food. Many people choose to stop consuming milk due to the mounting evidence
linking dairy consumption to a myriad of diseases, including breast and
colon cancer. Touted as a remedy for strong bones, studies have also shown
that countries consuming the most dairy actually have the highest rates of
osteoporosis. Non-dairy alternatives are rich in nutrients, without the
harmful saturated animal fats and cholesterol.
Image from PCRM.org
5. Pollution and Water Waste
The dairy industry is responsible for a tremendous amount of pollution. The
hundreds of millions of cows exploited annually for dairy produce incredible
amounts of waste, which leads to grave air and water pollution. This places
communities at risk of exposure to tainted water and dangerous gases.
Requiring a staggering 1,000 gallons of water to produce just one gallon of
milk, dairy production is also responsible for egregious water waste. Many
environmentalists choose to stop consuming dairy for the purpose of
sustainability and environmental protection.
Image from USDA
Every time we purchase a product, we have a choice: compassion, or cruelty. Will we willfully ignore the immense harm caused by dairy consumption, or will we bear witness to the shocking reality of this industry and vote with our dollar in favor of kinder, healthier, and more sustainable alternatives.
Number of animals killed in the world by the fishing, meat, dairy and egg industries, since you opened this webpage.
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