I have already referenced their website a number of times in this blog:
1. Compassion in World Farming
Founded by dairy farmer Peter Roberts in the UK in 1967, they campaign to end cruel factory farming. In 1988 Compassion in World Farming made a Public Information Film called Welcome To The Battery for the cinema advertisements. This was to promote awareness and encourage the Boycot of Battery Farming. They also initiate the The Good Egg Award reward companies for sourcing cage-free eggs.
They have branches in various countries, also Ireland: http://www.ciwf.ie/
2. RSPCA freedom food
Freedom Food is the RSPCA’s farm assurance and food labelling scheme dedicated to improving welfare standards for farm animals reared for food each year in the UK. The Freedom Food label enables shoppers to recognise higher welfare products - products that come from animals reared on farms inspected by the RSPCA. The RSPCA welfare standards are deliberately practical and achievable. They can be implemented on both large- and small-scale farms, and cover indoor and outdoor systems. This helps to provide real welfare improvements for as many farm animals as possible.
The freedom food label is unfortunately not used in Ireland but watch out for it when you shop in the UK. In any case the website has lots of useful tips on animal welfare, so it is worth a visit.
3. Celebrity Chefs Campaigning
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's Chicken Out! Campaign
Lot’s of information on the Chicken Out! campaign that call’s for a clear labelling of products that come from intensive chicken production.
There is also a link where you can online view Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's programme Chickens, Hugh & Tesco Too: http://www.chickenout.tv/chickens-hugh-and-tesco-too.html
In his show “Fowl Dinners”, Jamie Oliver takes a revealing look at chicken farming. Extracts from the show can be viewed on the Channel4 website: http://www.channel4.com/food/on-tv/jamie-oliver/jamies-fowl-dinners/
More tips from Jamie on how to shop for poultry and eggs on his website: http://www.jamieoliver.com/jamiesfowldinners/
4. Documentary Films
- WE FEED THE WORLD - a film by the Austrian Erwin Wagenhofer. This is a very good documentary film that traces the origins of the food we eat and shows the realties of modern industrial food production.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywdFltUp9Js
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d-hTyo1eAg&
- EARTHLINGS - film by Writer/Director Shaun Monson.
This is the most comprehensive documentary on how animals are treated as raw material for industries. It shows humankind's absolute economic dependence on animals raised as pets, food, clothing, entertainment and for scientific research. Using hidden cameras and never-before-seen footage, EARTHLINGS chronicles the day-to-day practices at some of the largest industries in the world, all of which rely entirely on animals for profit.
5. Books
A large number of books have appeared in recent years on ethical shopping. These are just some examples:
- The Good Shopping Guide: Certifying the UK's Most Ethical Companies and Brands by Charlotte Mulvey
- The Rough Guide to Ethical Shopping by Duncan Clark
- Animal Free Shopper by Vegan Society
- Shopped: The Shocking Power of British Supermarkets by Joanna Blythman
- Not on the Label: What Really Goes into the Food on Your Plate by Felicity
- The Omnivore's Dilemma: The Search for a Perfect Meal in a Fast-food World by Michael Pollan
- Life Stripped Bare: My Year Trying to Live Ethically by Leo Hickman
I would suggest to visit your local library or bookshop to see if you find something inspirational or useful for your lifestyle.
