Animals are routinely beaten
There are many good reasons for becoming vegan, but the one that inspires most of us is, of course, a desire not to have any part in the horrific exploitation of animals. This core belief was particularly reinforced for me by our undercover investigation inside UK slaughterhouses. Those who follow Animal Aid’s progress will know that we exposed routine cruelty, with laws broken and regulations ignored. Those images still haunt me – cigarettes stubbed out on the face of pigs, animals kicked, stamped on, cursed, hit in the face with metal shackles and tortured by electric shocks through ears, snouts and even open mouths. Few who have witnessed the footage could contest that slaughterhouses are probably the most barbaric institutions that are still legalised in our culture. These are killing factories where the worst forms of macho behavior thrive.
A slaughterman punches a pig in the face
One of our aims with The Great Vegan Challenge has been to show that an exclusively plant-based diet does not demand any kind of self-sacrifice. The food can be delicious and fun, as well as healthy and good for the environment and animals. But we have also been keen not to underestimate the difficulties that some people experience in adapting to change and overcoming social pressures from family and friends.
So, while we would like everybody who has taken part in the Challenge to remain 100% vegan, we don’t expect it. It’s your choice and we’re not planning to send the Vegan Police round to check the contents of your fridge and food cupboards!
What we would ask of all those who are unsure, however, is please to keep in mind (or better still look at) these slaughterhouse images one more time before you come to a final decision. Thanks.