We Deserve Better, Benna Say Following Animal Rights Commissioner’s ‘Misleading’ National Milk Day Appeal
Milk giants Benna have taken aim at “sensational” claims made by the Commissioner of Animal Welfare on National Milk Day, who appealed for more awareness of questionable practices in the dairy industry.
“With great disappointment, we noticed an unacceptable post published on the official Facebook Page of the Commissioner with the intention of misleading the public,” they wrote.
In her post, the Commissioner – Alison Bezzina – appealed for persons to be aware of their consumption of milk following unethical – but legal – practices in its production.
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.
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”.
In their response, Koperattiva Produtturi tal-Ħalib Group (KPH Group), the flagship of the enterprise, claimed that its members were all local farmers tending to cows and doing everything necessary to keep the cows in ‘conditions adequate to the standards of the EU’.
“We feel that the scope of this post is to generate sensationalism with an ulterior motive. And this in mind, the post was published to defame the milk sector which has proven so important to Malta.”
“We deserve better than that.”
Speaking with Lovin Malta, Bezzina maintained her stance, appealing for persons to switch to plant-based alternatives.
“Fresh milk comes from farms belonging to these farmers,” they said. “The milk is pasteurised and distributed to shops in a span of 24 hours”
“Because of this, the fresh, local milk that reaches consumers contains lots of nutrients and health benefits.”
Animal rights activists have often warred with those supporting the dairy industry. Their stance has led to the labeling of farmers as ‘cogs’ in an unethical food production machine consigning docile animals to a lifetime of misery.
Ethical issues in the dairy industry are not always straightforward. While dairy in its own right has been a longstanding thriving industry, one that many rely on, it may be more nuanced.And while practices can be conducted legally, many still debate if they are carried out ethically, nevertheless.
Do you agree with Benna’s reply?