What’s driving ‘anti-dairy’ sentiment?
Rural campaigners including the Countryside Alliance have criticised an anti-dairy advert which is set to play at UK cinemas. The ad, created by vegan charity Viva! has been branded as ‘sensationalist nonsense’ by countryside campaigners.
It shows a mother tucking her newborn baby into bed and as she turns out the light, a macabre vampire-like figure appears and snatches the baby away. When the mother cries out for her baby, the figure declares, “You can’t keep your baby because we want your milk.” The next scene shows a penned calf, and a suggestion that the calf will be killed as it’s ‘surplus to requirements.’
Johnnie Furse, a spokesman for the Countryside Alliance hit out at the ad, saying it was out of touch and that dairy remains a popular choice in the UK. He added that he is proud to be supporting British farmers and would tuck into a pot of ice cream the next time he’s at the cinema.
The British Dietetic Association has also weighed in, stating that for many people, cutting milk and other dairy products out of their diet is ‘likely to do more harm than good,’ as they’re an important part of a balanced diet. It emphasised that milk and dairy products provide almost one third of a person’s recommended calcium intake and for vegetarians, they’re the main dietary source of vitamin B12, a nutrient that’s essential for many of the body’s functions, including red blood cell formation and nerve function.
The misconceptions around veganism and alternative milk options
The Viva! ad brings into focus the misconceptions around veganism and alternative milk choices that the UK’s beleaguered dairy farmers are up against. AHDB figures show that the UK is losing 440 dairy farmers each year, with farms going out of business due to the volatility of milk price, high production costs, succession and legislative pressures. In recent years, they’ve also been up against a powerful strategic marketing machine which has presented alternatives to cow’s milk as being healthier and better for the environment. Dig a little deeper, however, and it becomes apparent that this is not always the case.
As a source of essential nutrients and protein, milk is a healthier choice for many, and there’s a drive in the UK dairy industry towards making it a more sustainable option. The Dairy Roadmap and the Royal Agricultural Society of England’s 2023 report, ‘Decarbonising UK Dairy Production’ outline sustainability targets and opportunities to produce milk more efficiently. These include focusing on animal health and welfare, producing high quality forage, managing nitrogen better on farm, and using new technologies to improve efficiency at farm and milk processing level.
Sources:
https://ahdb.org.uk/news/gb-producer-numbers-sharp-decline-indicates-further-consolidation
https://www.farminguk.com/news/rural-campaigners-slam-hysterical-anti-dairy-cinema-advert_66118.html
https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/dairy-benefits.html
https://vm-01-crm02.altido.com/clients/rase c3c5ffc2133a3eed/uploads/documents/website-report/
