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A recent report from the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity on
public trust finds that a whopping 61 percent of Canadians are unsure
that meat comes from farms where animals are treated “humanely.”
Real Agriculture reports: “The study suggests there is increased
uncertainty in the direction of our food system. … There are also rising
concerns surrounding animal welfare as a whole. When it comes to consumers’
confidence that Canadian meat, milk, and eggs are raised humanely, the bulk of
respondents were unsure.” This makes total sense, considering that what happens
to animals exploited for meat, dairy, and eggs can never be “humane.”
Let’s just be real: No animal wants to die to become someone’s
meat. And even animals used for dairy and eggs end up in the same place: the
slaughterhouse.
Mercy For Animals has
conducted more than a dozen undercover investigations at factory farms across
Canada and we’ve documented horrific abuse every time.
But Canadians are learning the truth, which is why nearly 10 percent of the
country identifies as vegetarian or vegan. In fact, a recent
study from Dalhousie University found that 2.3 million Canadians were
vegetarian, an increase from just 900,000 in 2003, while about 850,000 label
themselves vegan.
What’s even cooler? Most of these people are under 35, leaving the
meat industry scared of the inevitable growth in the plant-based market. Sylvain
Charlebois, professor of food distribution and policy at Dalhousie, says the
most common reason people adopt meat-free lifestyles is concern for animal
welfare.
Additionally, a 2015 article in The Globe and Mail reported that meat
consumption was on the decline in Canada, citing a 31 percent
drop in pork sales and a 19 percent drop in beef since 1999, even though
disposable incomes had risen steadily in that period.
The increase in plant-based eating has resulted in a surge of
vegan options across the country. With the rollout of the Beyond Burger at
A&W Canada, the opening of 24-hour vegan
drive-thrus, and an entire neighborhood
dedicated to veganism, Canada is becoming more vegan-friendly every
day and a place many vegans want to live.
This is all great news for the billions of animals who suffer at factory farms each year.
Cows, pigs, chickens, and fish raised and killed for food are subjected to
unthinkable cruelties: tiny, filthy cages; horrific mutilations; torturous
transport; and violent slaughter.
Canadians have never been more aware of the impact their dietary
choices have on themselves, the environment, and the animals who suffer
needlessly for meat, dairy, and eggs.
Join the millions around the world fighting to protect our
environment and animals by choosing compassionate plant-based foods. Order your
FREE Vegetarian Starter
Guide today.