Animal Farming
In the UK, around 1,000 million animals are slaughtered for food every year. So many fish are killed that they are recorded by weight rather than as individuals. The average meat eater will consume about 5,000 animals, including pigs, chickens, cows and lambs, in his or her lifetime, plus half a tonne of fish.
Most of these animals are reared in factory farms, which exist so that farmers can produce meat, eggs and dairy products as quickly and cheaply as possible. To keep the production costs down, the animals are confined in small spaces. They are denied fresh air, proper exercise and the freedom to behave naturally.
Animals killed for meat are slaughtered at a very young age.
When their time comes to die, whether reared on a factory farm or free-range farm, their end is brutal and bloody.
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It doesn’t need to be like this! You can help create a more humane world, improve your health and save animals’ lives by going veggie.
Make a difference
Want to know more?
- Read our Animals & Us booklet
- Read our Young Veggies booklet
- Read our Animal Farming factsheet
- Read the Factory Farming section in the main (adult) site.
- Watch the Eat This! film
