October
2024
Thanks to our generous supporters, October was a strong month at Mercy For Animals. We released a new investigation that exposes violations of a pork-industry certification program. A Brazilian bakery cut back on its use of eggs, while a Mexican media outlet covered a popular restaurant’s plant-based menu.
Revealing Cruelty That Put the National Pork Board on the Defensive
United States
Mercy For Animals released a new undercover investigation exposing horrific cruelty at a factory pig farm certified under the Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) Plus program, which the National Pork Board developed to provide reliable welfare standards for pigs. Our footage shows a mother pig shot multiple times with a defective captive-bolt gun and pigs being slapped, kneed, and struck with paddles—clear violations of PQA Plus standards. We also released a white paper analyzing a decade of undercover footage from Mercy For Animals and Animal Outlook. The findings, which garnered coverage from Politico, reveal a pattern of cruelty and raise urgent concerns about the effectiveness of current animal welfare standards and regulatory oversight. In response, the National Pork Board released a statement defending their practices, yet the investigation and research suggest that the industry’s marketing claims mislead consumers about animal suffering.
Helping a Brazilian Bakery Reduce Egg Use
Brazil
Wickbold, a Brazilian brand known for bread and other bakery products, has reduced their egg use by 23%. The change comes after our team reached out to the company about sourcing cage-free eggs. To meet their commitment goals, the company began reducing egg use overall.
Supporting Hacienda de los Morales in Launching Their First Vegan Menu
Mexico
Food and Travel, a prominent Mexican food magazine, recently highlighted the new vegan menu at Hacienda de los Morales, which we helped the restaurant create. The article showcases the restaurant’s commitment to culinary innovation, celebrating plant-based dishes that honor traditional Mexican flavors while appealing to a growing audience of health-conscious diners. Through this new menu, Hacienda de los Morales aims to blend sustainability with authentic cuisine, positioning the business as a leader in the evolving culinary landscape.
Urging a Multinational Company to Commit to Cage-Free Eggs
Mexico
On World Egg Day, Mercy For Animals volunteers gathered in Mexico City to raise awareness about the immense suffering hens endure in cages at factory farms and call on a company to prohibit cages in its egg supply chain. Volunteers in cages grabbed spectators’ attention, while screens showing footage of caged hens offered a glimpse into these animals’ miserable lives.
Passersby were encouraged to sign a petition urging multinational food manufacturer Colombina to fulfill their commitment to sourcing only cage-free eggs. Our actions helped pressure the company to reaffirm their pledge to transition to cage-free eggs for all their brands.
Calling Attention to the Link Between Animal Farming and Wildfires
Brazil
Prominent Brazilian news outlet Brasil de Fato interviewed a Mercy For Animals staff member about the link between animal farming and the country’s devastating wildfires. Featured on the outlet’s podcast and website, the interview shed light on how the expansion of animal agriculture, particularly cattle farming, drives environmental destruction, including rampant deforestation and fires. Our team member highlighted a recent study revealing that eight of the 10 states with the most wildfire incidents are those with the largest cattle herds. This coverage provided a powerful platform for spotlighting this issue as we urge the Brazilian government to include food systems in climate-change policy. Read the full article and listen to the podcast here.
Expanding Plant-Based Meal Partnerships in Brazil
Brazil
As part of our program to support schools in serving only plant-based meals at least one day a week, we maintained six active partnerships by training school staff in plant-based cooking. Our team in Brazil trained 40 school chefs in the city of Sobral and hosted a workshop for school nutritionists in Salvador.
New Videos Produced This Month
Mother Pig Screams and Convulses After Being Repeatedly Shot
VIEW OUR YEAR-TO-DATE PROGRESS AT MERCYFORANIMALS.ORG/IMPACT
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“What keeps me focused is to remember that we are their only hope.”
—Camilla, an undercover investigator in Brazil