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Fans of UK
television program Countryfile were outraged by a segment highlighting animal
activism that aired during last weekend’s episode.
Segment
The show’s
host, Tom Heape, was featured speaking with animal rights activist and Animal
Equality Executive Director Dr. Toni Shephard – who did not mix messages about
vegan advocacy.
Speaking to
the organization’s goal, Dr. Shephard said: “Ultimately, the
best way to spare animals from suffering is simply not to eat them.”
The program
also showed select footage of said suffering.
‘Informed
choices’
The pair
discussed activist demonstrations such as sit-ins, protests, and other farm
visits – many of which are designed to help consumers make ‘informed choices’
about what they eat.
Dr.
Shephard explained that Animal Equality’s work is about
exposing the truth and that it’s often as simple as ‘just opening the door and
filming what is happening there’.
She added: “Most consumers really don’t know that most pigs are fattened indoors on barren
slatted floors with very little enrichment.”
‘Outraged’
Incensed
viewers took to Twitter to express their issues with the segment.
One
commenter wrote: “Don’t have any issues with people choosing to be a vegan ….
so long as they don’t try and abuse and bully others who choose differently
#countryfile”
Another
wrote: “Bloody hell tonight’s #countryfile is WILD. Vegan terrorists followed
by a woman making sporrans from road kill and now Jack Munroe.”
Controversy
When vegans
and animal rights advocates joined the conversation, in defence of the segment, a lively debate ensued.
One user
wrote: “Don’t just threaten to ‘switch off’, stop eating all animal products
and stop this cruelty. Countryfile showed the truth for a change. #Vegan
#RickyGervais #countryfile”
Another
added: “So many people are threatened by veganism that the only way they can
deal with it is too attack vegans. #KeyboardWarriors”
