Animal Rebellion delivered the following open letter signed by scientists, animal rights organisations and environmentalists to the UK Government on Tuesday 8th September 2020

Dear Prime Minister, 

We are writing as a broad coalition to shine a light on animal agriculture as a key driver in the emergence of deadly diseases. We are urging the UK Government and Governments around the world to join together to take integrated action to prevent future zoonotic pandemics.

The Covid-19 tragedy has caused untold suffering to millions and future global pandemics, along with the climate emergency, represent public health threats of unprecedented magnitude. Yet, whilst Governments seek to stop the spread of the virus, you are failing to address its cause, which lies squarely at the feet of animal agriculture and exploitation. 

Scientists have warned for years that human exploitation of the natural world, our relentless encroachment into wildlife habitats, deforestation, the trade in wild animals and seismic global growth of intensive livestock farming is creating a perfect storm for the spillover of diseases from animals to people – 75% of new infectious diseases originate in animals and the risks are increasing, but Governments repeatedly ignore these warnings.

This pandemic has shown us that our health depends on the health of animals and our shared environment but if you continue to ignore the relationship between the emergence of disease, animal agriculture, biodiversity loss and climate change, we will become ever more vulnerable to future pandemics. Governments must tell the truth- animal agriculture causes global pandemics.

The warnings from Covid-19 could not be starker- we act now, stop exploiting the natural world and animals, and transition towards a plant based food system, or face future zoonotic pandemics of catastrophic proportions. We have been warned. 

Covid-19’s ticking time bomb was preventable:

Coronavirus is a zoonotic disease that jumped the species barrier from animals to humans, possibly in a Chinese ‘wet market’ in Wuhan. Stressed animals kept in tiny cages and close confines are slaughtered on site, their faeces, urine and blood mixing, providing optimal conditions for disease formation. The animal suffering is profound and millions of people are dying from Covid-19.

Tragedy from a zoonotic disease has happened before – SARS from contact with and consumption of civet cats & bats, HIV and Ebola from primates in Africa, and MERS from camels in the Middle East, and whilst Covid-19 is linked to the trade and consumption of wild animals, other dangerous zoonosis have emerged from chicken, pig and cattlefarming. Governments must tell the truth – this pandemic happened because people kill, eat and exploit animals.

Dr Michael Greger says: “If you want to create global pandemics, then build factory farms” and the truth is, the next pandemic is on our doorsteps and on our plates. The demand for cheap meat has fuelled a huge expansion of industrial farming– the UK slaughters over a billion animals a year from factory farms and we have 1770 intensive units, 800 of which are so vast, they’re classed as ‘mega farms’. Many of these hold over a million chickens, the largest pig unit holds 23,000 pigs and numbers are rising. Confining animals in intensive units is the biggest cause of animal cruelty in Britain today and every single factory farm represents a public health threat.

Animals in industrial facilities are kept in conditions so overcrowded, unsanitary and stressful that they provide ideal breeding grounds for pathogens to share genetic information, mutate and spread. Butchery and the consumption of meat also provide pathways for zoonotic infection – nearly half of human pandemics have come from domestic livestock, including measles, avian influenza- poultry, swine flu- pigs and foot and mouth disease- cattle.

Recent outbreaks of avian Influenza and swine flu have led to mass slaughter – millions of animals buried and burnt alive, their suffering incalculable. A new swine flu strain in China is believed to be a ‘potential pandemic concern’, indeed, one tiny genetic shift & the next Avian or Swine Flu could devastate human populations and Covid-19 will be remembered as a dress rehearsal. We must heed this warning – whether it’s a pathogen filled wildlife market in Asia or an intensive livestock unit in Europe, the problem is the same – our incessant demand for meat is creating deathly disease and global pandemics. 

Covid-19 has also exposed the fragility of industrialised food systems – low paid meat workers disproportionately infected with many slaughterhouses forced to close resulted in human tragedy and catastrophic animal cruelty, yet Governments continue to bail out archaic food systems. The UK Government remains silent on these risks as it seeks a swift return to business as usual, even embarking on a possible USA trade deal which will further fuel livestock intensification, animal cruelty, antibiotic resistance risk and all our safety.

But there is another option. The global trauma caused by Covid-19 must be the tipping point. Our recovery means instigating an urgent shift away from unsustainable animal agriculture and we are calling on a worldwide alliance of individuals, cross party political leaders, scientists, NGOs and business stakeholders to support, implement and accelerate the transition towards a plant-based food system and healthy prospering ecosystems. 

We the undersigned demand that:

• Governments tell the truth and publicly address the connection between animal farming, exploitation and the threats of zoonotic disease.
• An inter-country integrated strategic board is set up by a citizen’s assembly to review the links between animal agriculture, hunting and farming of wildlife, deforestation and zoonotic disease.
• We must transition away from farming of all animals and move towards a prospering plant-based society.
• We must fund and support farmers to transition from animal farming towards producing sustainable plant-based protein crops.

Signed by:

Animal Rebellion

Animal Aid

Animal Justice Project

Animal Welfare Party

Surge

BOSH! – Henry Firth & Ian Theasby

VIVA

Emily-Jane Williams – Make Up Artist

Dr Alice Brough

Megan McCubbin- Zoologist &  Wildlife TV presenter

Genesis Butler

Youth Climate Save 

Matthew Shribman- MChem (Oxon), Science Communicator & Head Teacher at AimHi

Plant-Based Health Professionals

Shireen Kassam- founder Plant-Based Health Professionals & Consultant Haematologist at King’s College Hospital

Direct Action Everywhere- USA

Veg Capital- Matthew Glover

Kate Werner- Senior Campaigns Manager, PETA UK

Champions for Earth – Dave Hampton co-founder

Jewish Vegetarian Society 

Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade

Dominic Dyer – wildlife campaigner writer & broadcaster 

Humane Being – Jane Tredgett 

Save Europe – David Huntley 

Animal Save Movement

Extinction Rebellion Vegans

Animal Thinktank

The post Letter For Our Future first appeared on Animal Rebellion.

In solidarity with SMASH Speciesism, Animal Rebellion shut down a Pilgrim’s Pride pig slaughterhouse in Manchester for a full day.

Over two hours prior to opening, rebels arrived at the slaughterhouse and obstructed the gateway by locking onto concrete-filled coffins. Two rebels entered the site and climbed bravely to the top of the gassing chambers. On their arrival, Animal Rebellion informed the slaughterhouse to call their suppliers and cancel lorry arrivals for the day – these lorries would be filled with pigs arriving at their final moments of breath. Managers from Pilgrim’s Pride agreed to this condition, confirming there would be no lorries coming on-site that day.

Unfortunately, later in the day, as the police began unlocking rebels from the coffins, slaughterhouse managers saw this as an opportunity to resume truck arrivals. This was a sickening decision.

Sadly, three trucks were let onto the site despite earlier agreements – it was emotionally and psychologically traumatic. Pilgrim’s Pride showed that they were ready to put profit over animals, people and planet.

Fortunately, they had sent their workers home and one rebel remained on the the roof until the site closed at 5pm. No pigs were gassed alive and killed at the slaughterhouse that day. This day without slaughter symbolises what a world that puts people, the planet and animals above profit could look like.

Usually, more than 3000 pigs are slaughtered on site each day.

In addition to the clear animal justice message we sent, rebels were also highlighting the climate and health emergency we are in due to animal agriculture.

The choice made by Pilgrim’s Pride demonstrates how our current system places profit over animals, the people, and the planet. It was clear that they did not understand, nor care about the urgency of animal justice, people’s health, and climate crisis issues.

Animal Rebellion shutdown this slaughterhouse in order to highlight four issues of animal agriculture:

• This action was particularly aimed at animal justice as there is no way for animal justice to exist in a slaughterhouse. There is no humane way to kill a sentient being. Animal agriculture is not just.
• Animal agriculture is a leading cause of the current climate crisis. It contributes to more greenhouse gases than all of the transport industry combined (cars, trains, busses, ferries, lorries, etc.)! Animal agriculture is not sustainable.
• Food factories and processing plants are a health hazard for workers. During this pandemic, there have been outbreaks across the UK: Kober Meat factory, owned by ASDA (150 cases), 2 Sisters Poultry (216 cases), and Rowan Foods (237 cases).
• Animal agriculture will contribute more and more to pandemics. 75% of new and emerging infectious diseases are coming from animals. Whilst animal agriculture continues it is only time before the next pandemic strikes. Meat processing factories are hotspots for the outbreak of viruses and disease.

The post Why Animal Rebellion Shut Down a Slaughterhouse first appeared on Animal Rebellion.

Animal farming is both a health risk and climate risk.

In February, SMASH Speciesism locked themselves to concrete and blocked the entrance of Tulip Slaughterhouse, an abattoir in Manchester. The factory was brought to a standstill for 10 hours. SMASH Speciesism urged the factory to transition to a plant-based food production site instead of contributing to the 3000+ pigs they gas and stab each day.

SMASH Speciesism is an anti-speciesist, non-violent, direct action group. Eleven members were to be held on trial today (7th September), but the trial was postponed. Today, Animal Rebellion also blockaded the same slaughterhouse, now under the ownership of Pilgrim’s Pride, to stand in solidarity with SMASH Speciesism. They demanded that all slaughterhouse trucks arriving to the site were cancelled for the day. The action highlighted the criminality of gassing pigs, the health risks posed to slaughterhouse workers and, the climate crisis.

“Speciesism” is the human-held belief that all other animal species are inferior. Speciesist thinking involves considering animals — who have their own desires, needs and complex lives — as a means of human enjoyment, consumption and personal gain.

Outside Parliament, Rebels, with red-dyed hands, held up a 30-metres banner reading “UNFUCK THE WORLD — PLANT-BASED FOOD SYSTEM”. They were also demanding justice for all non-human animals, the slaughterhouse workers, the climate, and the activists who stand up against these unjust systems.

The animals

Over 3000 pigs are gassed alive in chambers and cut from their neck at Tulip Slaughterhouse every day. 72 billion land animals and more than 1.2 trillion aquatic animals are killed for food every year in our agricultural system. Each can feel physical and emotional pain.

As Corona virus impacted worker numbers, millions of animals have been culled in the past few months. Culling can take place in two forms: “the first involves filling the sheds where chickens live with CO2. The second involves putting the birds in specialised containers filled with CO2 and other gasses”. Both suffocate them.

The Climate

75% of global agricultural land is used for animal agriculture. To produce the same amount of energy, animal agriculture requires more land than plant-based foods. Reconsidering our eating habits is a powerful decision. It enables us to move away from polluted air, poisoned waterways, loss of biodiversity and the destruction of wildlife.

Creating a just and sustainable plant-based food system is pivotal for planet health.

Harley McDonald-Eckersall, a spokesperson for Animal Rebellion, said:

“We are shutting this slaughterhouse down because we see no lawful activity being done here. It is contributing to the gassing of pigs, the destruction of our climate and the spread of deadly diseases between workers.”

Slaughterhouse workers

Recent studies have shown that 75% of new and emerging infectious diseases come from animals. In the UK, there have been several outbreaks of coronavirus in meat production sites and slaughterhouses. These are hotspots for the virus to thrive and the cases have been in their hundreds! Vulnerable workers are being put at large risk by the continued operation of these plants.

Factories are cold and damp — the ideal atmosphere for the virus to thrive. Workers are between 30 to 40 cm away from each other as they are working on mass scale. Between lines there is little space to keep their distance too.

Other outbreaks have been seen in:

• Banham Poultry Slaughterhouse (75 workers)

At least 350 individuals are isolating due to these cases.

300,000 chickens will be gassed alive in order to cull them. Without the staff, the slaughterhouse cannot “process” the sheer number of chickens.

• 2 Sisters Poultry processing factory, Anglesey (216 workers)

2 Sisters is one of the largest food producers in the UK, processing about 1.3 of all poultry eaten in Britain each day. It supplies major food outlets and supermarkets: ASDA, Co-op, KFC, Lidl, M&S, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s Tesco, and more.

• Rowan Foods of Oscar Mayer Group, Wrexham (237 cases)

On April 3rd, workers staged a walkout from the factory in protest to unsafe working conditions.

Earlier, a worker told 5 Live Investigations he does not feel safe at work as there are three or four lines of 10 people each in a metre-and-a-half of each other. There is 35–40cm between each person on the line.

The post Animal Rebellion Shuts Down a Manchester Slaughterhouse first appeared on Animal Rebellion.

The domino effect is when one change occurs, triggering another and then another. This is the situation for many countries around the world right now. The first change always feels like the hardest adjustment but, once people get used to it happening we begin to embrace new things more quickly. Branching out of our comfort zones seems scary at first, but change is not really difficult: it is inevitable. We need to abandon the ‘business as usual’ approach and, instead, take radical action to ensure that the future we want — to live in a just and sustainable world — becomes our present. Protecting our future cannot be done by anyone alone but requires the combined efforts of governments and systemic change.

As a result of COVID-19, the UK is in a current state of lockdown, as are many other cities and countries across the world. It is highly likely that COVID-19 is a zoonotic disease, meaning it was transmitted from non-human animals to humans. Other zoonotic diseases in the past include SARS, Ebola and HIV which, together, killed millions of people worldwide. Zoonotic diseases are usually spread by wildlife and farmed animals, which is exacerbated by intensive animal farming and, thus, the meat industry. A global plant-based food system will dramatically reduce our chances of contracting future zoonotic diseases, while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping to mitigate the current climate emergency.

Life is very different right now. Many of us are risking our lives to go to work, whilst many others are forced to work from home or not at all. We now queue outside supermarkets, connect with friends and family through video calls, attend online quizzes and seminars, and we have more apps on our phones than ever before. We take full advantage of our daily allowance of exercise, whether we prefer to cycle, run, or walk; our time spent outside has become precious. We have had to adapt to this new way of living in a very short period of time.

The fragility of our food system has been highlighted during COVID-19. Research by the Food and Land Use Coalition found that just 1% of the yearly £560 billion government paid farm subsidies is used in ways to protect the environment; it is mostly used in destructive practices, such as deforestation. Since the pandemic began, we have seen empty shelves in our supermarkets and there are still ingredients we cannot find. Unharvested vegetables have been left to rot due to worker shortages. Fortunately, most of us will survive this pandemic, but we cannot risk similar situations in the future. We do not yet know how infectious COVID-19 is, as not all cases have been identified, but it is likely that the next pandemic will be worse. Severe food shortages are probable and the death toll may be considerably higher.

There is no denying the devastating cost of the COVID-19 pandemic, but we must find lessons in our experiences and silver linings where possible. Communities across the world have pulled together to help each other. The voluntary sector has been inundated with volunteers, as 750,000 have signed up to help the NHS alone. This influx of volunteers has not been seen since the war. Young people shop for their vulnerable neighbours, while others trade food supplies over the garden fence. WhatsApp groups have been created to connect entire streets, who give each other support and offer tips for keeping busy during the lockdown.

There are two key points to note: firstly, how quickly this transformation has happened; and secondly, how quickly we have all adapted. This begs the question: is change really that difficult? The answer will, of course, vary on an individual basis but, from a systemic and government viewpoint, the answer is, no. COVID-19 has shown us how quickly things can move during a crisis. This speed of transition needs to be applied to the climate crisis too. In politics, we are forever told that “there is no money for this and no money for that”, which squashes campaigns for new sustainable policies and practices. Though, in this pandemic, the Government appears to have suddenly found enough cash to pay 80% of millions of people’s salaries as part of the new Furlough scheme. The cost was estimated at £42 billion, and this is before the scheme was extended by a month. Not to mention the potential millions of pounds the Government may pay in big business bailouts, such as airlines.

Governments have a history of implementing new policies during times of crisis, which are designed to go unnoticed. Naomi Klein’s award winning book, The Shock Doctrine, reveals America’s exploitation of national crises to establish controversial policies. America is certainly not the only culprit at fault for doing this and, already, the UK Government is talking about bailouts, though this is rarely publicised through mainstream media. Animal Rebellion has been campaigning for #NoDairyBailouts, an industry that has been in decline for some time and which relies heavily on government subsidies. The UK Government recently declared they would not bailout the dairy industry at this time, but we must ensure they stick to their word. At the same time, we must also ensure the Government does not use taxpayers money to bailout the beef industry and airlines, both of which seriously contribute to global warming.

Claims that governments do not have enough money to lead a transition towards a sustainable future is unfounded. A new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency proposes the Transforming Energy Scenario (TES), which offers ‘a sustainable, low-carbon climate safe foundation for stable, long-term economic development’, ensuring global warming remains below 2°C and in line with the Paris Agreement. The TES plans to transform energy pathways, based mostly on renewable sources and vastly improved energy efficiency. To return to ‘business as usual’ after the lockdown is estimated to cost $95 trillion globally. The TES is proposed to cost $110 trillion, though it would generate savings of an estimated $50 trillion to $142 trillion by 2050, effectively paying for itself. To pursue a ‘business as usual’ approach, when such blatantly more cost effective, beneficial and sustainable options are possible, would be sheer ludicracy.

Following this lockdown we will have one joint responsibility: not to allow a return to ‘business as usual’. By learning from these lessons, we can take action to help prevent future crises. Must we really wait for the next pandemic before humans understand the true severity of the climate emergency we are facing? One opinion poll reports that 48% of the public would like to see the government respond to the climate crisis ‘with the same urgency’ as it has done with this pandemic, and only 28% disagreed. The Government must take responsibility and act in the public’s interest; ‘business as usual’ is not a satisfactory response to COVID-19 nor the climate emergency we are facing.

COVID-19 has presented us with an opportunity — though it comes with devastating costs — for radical change. The lockdown has proved that it is possible for the Government to implement quick radical action and that humans are capable of adapting swiftly. We know there are viable proposals, such as the Transforming Energy Scenario, that will combat the climate emergency, without the added financial burden that would otherwise result from a ‘business as usual’ approach. We must act now to prevent more crises, whether related to health, economical or environmental. A just and sustainable future for all is within our reach.

The post Change is Happening All Around Us Right Now and This Could Spark Something Big first appeared on Animal Rebellion.

Unless you have been living under a rock, we are all aware of the current COVID-19 pandemic. The death toll is increasing as the virus spreads rapidly around the world. On 14th March 2020, the total number of deaths increased from 11 to 21 in the UK. These numbers may sound small, but it means deaths almost doubled in 24 hours warning us of what is to come. This crisis is a taste of an ongoing ecological breakdown, a result of our systemic abuse of the environment (of which pathogens are a reactionary part, empowered by the system’s disbalance). If we continue on our current trajectory with the rate of climate change, there will be suffering on an even greater scale than we are experiencing right now. Once again, it will be the most vulnerable people who will be at most risk. We have an opportunity to learn from our mistakes and heed this warning. To prevent a more severe situation, we must take drastic action to reduce emissions to net zero by 2025 and stop global warming.

So what are the outcomes of COVID-19 so far?

Panic. People are living in fear; for themselves and their loved ones. The UK government is currently inactive in this emergency, taking a ‘wait and see’ approach disguised as ‘herd immunity’. The World Health Organisation has been very critical of this plan. They argue there is not yet enough information to suggest ‘herd immunity’ would reduce the spread of infection, stating this approach is ‘risking many more lives than necessary’. Evidence shows that elderly people or those with poor health are most at risk of COVID-19 , and we all know someone who fits this category. The severity of the situation is made real when it is likely to affect someone dear to you. Many of us will be thinking of our parents at this time. Especially as Boris Johnson’s unsettling words state ‘many more families are going to lose loved ones before their time’.

Lockdown. Some countries are already in varying stages of lockdown, whilst the UK seems to be coasting along in a state of confusion. UK citizens are calling on their government to call a lockdown for non-essential businesses and schools, as well as carrying out wide spread testing and taking private clinics into public ownership. A lockdown may help prevent the spread of the disease, protecting the most vulnerable residents. But it could also lead to social isolation and financial difficulties. Encouraging online communities and regular phone calls could reduce social isolation and the associated mental health implications. Activist groups are demanding the Government to implement a Universal Basic Income (UBI) and statutory sick pay, which would address the financial implications. The Royal Bank of Scotland has already permitted a 3 month pause on payments for their mortgage customers who may struggle while they’re out of work. The UBI would be needed to help with other outgoings, such as bills and food costs we will still incur.

Animal deaths. It is typical to focus on humans during a pandemic, but we are not the only ones who are dying; the animal death toll has skyrocketed since the COVID-19 outbreak. In China, restrictions have been imposed on the transport of animal feed, and live animals to slaughterhouses. As a result, some poultry farmers have euthanized young birds. Also, in China, pets are at risk of being killed for fear of them transmitting the virus. However, the WHO says there is no evidence that animals can catch COVID-19. In India, one poultry farmer buried alive his flock of 6,000 chickens to, apparently, prevent the spread of the disease. In addition to other farm animals who are left to starve to death due to the inaccessibility of food, these are only a few examples of how animals suffer as a result of human actions. Animal agriculture and eating meat is not only detrimental to our planet as one of the leading causes of climate change, but is putting the human species at real risk of zoonoses (diseases and infections transmitted from non-human animals).

What does the future look like?

COVID-19 is a taste of what’s to come. It’s not the beginning because we have had similar warnings in the past with SARS, Swine Flu, Ebola, to name a few. Given the continuous increase in antibiotics resistance (due to the current animal agriculture practices) it is definitely not the end of global health crises. But in the context of a climate and ecological crisis, we are in a much worse situation — we are heading for the 6th mass extinction and entire species are already dying out. We haven’t learned from the past, but we can learn now. We have a small window of opportunity to make changes and change the trajectory of our society.

Times of crisis prove that humans can adapt and make changes quickly. A lockdown would have been unthinkable just one or two months ago, but now it is a reality for millions of people. In an interesting turn of events more people may actually be saved from atmospheric pollution as a result of drastically reduced emissions during the lockdown. The WHO estimates there are 7 million deaths from air pollution annually. This is evidence that radical action is effective. We could harness this power and be even more efficient at reducing emissions, tackling climate change, and saving lives. A transition from animal agriculture to a plant-based food system would not only significantly reduce the risks of zoonoses, but also enable a just and sustainable future for all; humans, animals and our planet. When we prioritize, our decisions are made easy. It is up to the Governments around the world to take the lead in this transition and put the lives of all its citizens first. This is an emergency and we must make a radical transformation. We have the knowledge and power to preempt and prevent the next emergency by acting now.

Change isn’t difficult, but it is inevitable.

The post How is COVID-19 Predicting the Future? first appeared on Animal Rebellion.