Celebrity actor Alicia Silverstone, best known for her role as Cher in Clueless, has urged the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help meat and dairy farmers transition to plant-based production.
The star, who is also a prominent vegan advocate, has partnered with charity Mercy For Animals to stand against the meat industry’s request for a government bailout.
Silverstone shared the charity’s petition in a recent Instagram video to her 1.1 million followers – arguing taxpayer money should be spent on helping farmers grow plant-based produce – not ‘en masse slaughter’.
‘Improve practices’
“Citing business disruptions related to COVID-19, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is seeking a bailout from the federal government as they slaughter animals on farms and discard baby pigs,” the petition reads.
“In Delaware, a chicken company has already directed farmers to kill millions of chickens. More members of the National Chicken Council (NCC) may soon do the same.
“Taxpayer dollars and government bailouts should help farmers improve practices, diversify, and transition to plant-based farming—not prop up animal abuse and en masse slaughter.”