Go Plant-Based, Maltese Animal Rights Commissioner Warns On National Milk Day
Animal Rights Commissioner Alison Bezzina has appealed for persons to be aware of their consumption of milk following unethical – but legal – practices in its production.
The Office of the Commissioner for Animal Welfare published a National Milk Day Facebook post aimed at reminding readers that cows, like humans, are not biologically meant to produce milk all year round.
“They are forcefully and artificially impregnated every year to keep them producing milk,” the office wrote.
The statement referred to the conventional process of dairy production where cattle are repeatedly impregnated, by artificial insemination, and have their newborns taken away at birth.
“Once a cow gives birth, the calf is almost immediately separated from the mother and fed formula. Since cows have a strong maternal instinct, even when separated from their calves, they will continue to produce milk for months.”
“Instead, they are taken away and their milk is sold to consumers. The cycle is repeated every year and ultimately ends with the cow’s slaughter.”
The Commissioner’s appeal to switch to plant-based sources sparked backlash from some quarters.
While on one side, some praised the post for raising awareness of potentially dark deeds in the industry, others have slammed the post for promoting a “personal agenda”.
“You are a disgrace for the office you hold,” one man said. “You don’t even know the difference between animal welfare and animal rights and you are abusing your position to push forward your agenda!”
“You should push for better animal welfare, not your personal agenda,” said another.
Animal rights activists have often warred with those supporting the dairy industry. Their stance has led to the labelling of farmers as ‘cogs’ in an unethical food production machine consigning docile animals to a lifetime of misery.
Lovin Malta spoke to Bezzina, who responded to comments calling her out for her ‘personal agenda’.
“I happen to be one of those people whose personal agenda is in perfect sync with that of my role as Commissioner for Animal Welfare – that of safeguarding animals, being their voice and educating people with the truth,” she said.
“If that wasn’t the case, I would not have accepted the role.”
“It’s more than fair to say that I’m urging people to go plant-based. I consider it a big part of my job to do so because plant-based does not harm animals, and my job is to protect animals.”
“The confusion lies only in the fact that the same Ministry under which the role of Commissioner happens to be placed, is the same Ministry responsible for the promotion of animal agriculture. But as the Animal Rights Commissioner, I work independently of this.”
Others have spoken out about the need for greater animal protection in the industry
Speaking with Lovin Malta, PN Spokesperson Peter Agius claimed that more needs to be done, on a national level, to improve animal welfare conditions. Particularly for farm animals that are raised to nourish us.
“We must work closely with those who feed us, the farmers themselves, who are normally keen to improve the living conditions of their animals when guided through more information and encouraged through specific incentives.”
“It is important to point out in fact that the EU allows for direct aid to farmers who invest to improve husbandry conditions like providing larger or better-ventilated spaces. We must make full use of these EU tools.”
Ethical issues in the dairy industry are not straightforward. While dairy in its own right has been a longstanding thriving industry, one that many rely on, it may be more nuanced.
At its core, the mental image of cows flocking freely on green pastures, and being tended to by farmers in an open environment may not often reflect the reality faced by animals within the dairy industry.
On the same day, Agrikoltura, the official Facebook page of the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Animal Rights, also shared their thoughts on the day.
“Today is an internationally recognised day to celebrate milk with all its health benefits as well as all of those who work hard all year round to produce fresh local milk,” it said.
Do you think more needs to be done to protect cows in Malta?