Due to animal welfare concerns within dairy farming, a surprising number of Brits are willing to cut down on their dairy consumption…
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Almost a quarter of Brits are willing to slash their dairy consumption, according to a new survey.
Vegan charity Viva! recently polled 2,000 adults, educating them on common agriculture practices.
The research found only three in ten participants are aware of zero-grazing. This practice sees cows kept in confinement for their entire life; not allowed to roam free outside.
However, once learning about the cruel convention, a staggering 69 percent of consumers said they opposed it on ethical grounds.
What’s more – almost half (49 percent) explicitly said they would be ‘unlikely to buy any dairy products’ produced by zero-grazing.
56 percent of those surveyed also believe the practice should be banned completely.
Brits cutting down on dairy consumption
Participants were also told how cows have to be artificially impregnated and give birth to a calf before they can produce milk. Surprisingly, 49 percent were not aware of this.
Similarly, a mere 27 percent knew that calves are snatched from their mothers at birth and either killed or isolated so the milk can be sold to humans.
However, after being presented with the dark reality of dairy farming, 24 percent claimed they were prepared to change their habits by cutting down on dairy.
This jumped to a whopping 45 percent amongst 25-34 year olds.
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A staggering 69 percent of consumers surveyed said they would cut their dairy consumption after learning the cruel truth about the dairy industry. Photo © Syda Productions via Adobe Stock
‘Lack of knowledge’
A spokesperson for Viva! described the ‘ignorance’ around the UK’s dairy industry as ‘widespread and profound.
They added: “It’s not accidental that consumers are ignorant of zero-grazing and other cruelties in the dairy industry.
“It’s purposely camouflaged by constant images of a non-existent rural idyll.
“Zero-grazing is sweeping across the world, and already one in five UK dairy cows are victims, despite overwhelming scientific and public opposition.”
The spokesperson argued that there is a ‘clear lack of knowledge’ around the treatment of cows, but said it was ‘encouraging’ to see people’s willingness to change their diets.
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Featured image: New Africa via Adobe Stock
