This Sunday marks World Milk Day, designed to ‘celebrate the power of dairy’.
The day of awareness, introduced by the United Nations in 2001, aims to highlight milk as a ‘vital, accessible food source that nourishes billions’.
But one group who won’t be celebrating is PETA; it is calling for the name of the day to be changed.
A more fitting title, it argues, is ‘World Bovine Mammary Secretion Day’.
In a letter, written to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the group points out that cows secrete milk to feed their offspring in the same way as humans.
However, calves in the dairy industry are removed from their mothers, often very shortly after birth, so that ‘the milk meant to nourish them can be stolen and sold to humans’.
‘This rebrand reflects the fact that cows don’t make milk because they’re cows, but because they are mothers,’ writes PETA cice president of programmes Elisa Allen.
‘What you call a “global food” is really a food intended for baby cows and bulls only.’
In the letter, the animal rights organisation said that milk produced for calves is ‘stolen’ and given to humans. Pictured: Cows standing at a milking station
Dairy cows stand in a circle around an automatic milking system. PETA said many develop painful udder infections as a result
The World Milk Day website urges people to ‘celebrate the power of dairy’. It argues that milk ‘provides essential nutrients that support bone health, growth and immune function, making it crucial for both children and adults’
PETA – which stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals – also argues the dairy industry releases massive amounts of greenhouse gases.
Their letter reads: ‘As World Milk Day aims, in part, to ‘spread the word about dairy’, we’d like to propose a re-brand which would help you do just this by making clear what the white stuff from a cow really is: change the name of the awareness day to ‘World Bovine Mammary Secretion Day’.
‘Cows’ secretions aren’t meant for humans any more than those of dogs or cockroaches are, but, thanks to human demand for their mothers’ mammary secretions, calves are denied nutrients and the maternal bond forged when a mother feeds her infant.
‘Cows used by the dairy industry are forcibly inseminated repeatedly – often using what industry insiders have called a ‘rape rack’ – to ensure a steady supply of milk, which a cow produces only after she gives birth.
‘But, often within hours or a day of birth, those babies are taken, causing both mother and child extreme distress.
‘Males are usually sold for veal, while daughters follow in their mothers’ sad footsteps.’
It said that cows are repeatedly – usually mechanically – milked, and many develop painful udder infections as a result.
‘Consumers deserve to make informed choices and to know what they’re drinking,’ Ms Allen added.
The letter, from PETA Vice President of Programmes Elisa Allen to the Food and Agriculture Organization, in full
Milk is something many people use every day – whether to put in their tea, coffee, bowl of cereal or as part of cooking. But PETA argues that its celebration day should be ‘rebranded’ to show what cows’ milk ‘really’ is
‘So far, dairy marketing has been as opaque as the product itself, but rebranding June 1 as “World Bovine Mammary Secretion Day” can end this whitewashing, instead revealing that what most call “milk” is really secretions extracted from exploited, unwell, and grieving mothers.’
Earlier this year, PETA argued the definition of ‘rat’ should be changed in the Cambridge Dictionary.
In a letter to its editor, the organisation said that when the term is used in reference to a human it depicts an ‘unfair’ representation of the small, furry mammal.
It reads: ‘We’re writing on behalf of rats and those who care about them – as well as anyone who appreciates accuracy in language – to ask that you please update your entry for the informal noun “rat”, currently defined as ‘an unpleasant person who deceives others or is not loyal.’
The group has also previously called on posh decorating range Farrow & Ball to rename animal-themed paints such as ‘dead salmon’ to make them more ‘vegan friendly’.
Other paint names it wants changed include ‘smoked trout’ and ‘potted shrimp’.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .