All you need to know about dairy and going dairy-free

The UK is the 13th largest milk producer in the world, churning out over 15 billion litres of the white stuff every year with an estimated market worth of around £19 billion.

There are just under two million cows in the nation’s milking herd and although the population has fallen around 28 per cent since 1996, they collectively produce double the quantity of milk than 45 years ago.

Dairy is not simply “part of British life” by accident – it is repeatedly sold to the public through multimillion-pound campaigns.

One of the public’s biggest misconceptions about dairy production is the way in which cows produce milk. Many are still unaware that in order to produce milk, a cow first needs to be pregnant, just like humans, and must give birth every year in order to meet the demands of modern, high-yield dairy farming.

Cow’s milk and dairy products, are not natural foods for us – we are best suited to drinking breastmilk as babies only. Consuming dairy products made from the milk of a different species is not just unnatural, it’s also unnecessary and may harm your heath.

A new Viva! documentary exposing the cruelty, health myths and industry spin behind one of Britain’s most heavily promoted foods is coming soon…

Through expert testimony, original and undercover footage, forensic analysis of industry claims, and candid vox pops with the British public, Viva!’s documentary will reveal how consumers have been misled about dairy, exposing the hidden realities, debunking long-held myths and confronting the lies that have shaped the nation’s views for generations.

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Ditching dairy is not just one of the best things you can do for animals, but also your health and the environment. Why? Because drinking milk past infancy isn’t natural.

Before a cow produces milk, she has to give birth. To keep the milk flowing she is repeatedly made pregnant and her calves taken shortly after birth. The milk she produces is not destined for her baby – it’s stolen for human consumption.

This process takes a tremendous toll on her body, causing lameness and nerve damage, painful mastitis infections, emaciation and complete physical exhaustion. Typically they’re considered ‘spent’ by around five to six years old, when they’ll be sent to slaughter and sold as cheap beef.

Around two-thirds of the world’s adults are lactose intolerant – clear proof that breast milk is for babies. Yet, the dairy industry plays on our emotional attachment to milk, using clever marketing to convince us it’s essential for strong bones and daily health. But it’s not!

Don’t be fooled – dairy companies are selling a product, not health advice. Remember, there was a time when even doctors promoted cigarettes. Industry-backed marketing can be powerful, but the truth is clear: we don’t need dairy.

Going dairy-free is a smarter choice for your health and kinder for the animals. Here are some easy and budget-friendly swaps to get started:

Viva!’s campaigns and investigations reveal the shocking reality of British factory dairy farms. Uncover the truth behind ‘standard practices’ for yourself and see the positive impact of our outreach.

Campaigns

Investigations