Video van illustrates the realities of British pig farming

Animal welfare charity tours UK’s biggest cities asking the public to re-consider their food choices.

As a nation of animal lovers, it is not surprising that Britain is seeing a steady decline in the demand for animal based products. Bristol-based animal welfare charity, Viva!, want to encourage more people to opt for a compassionate lifestyle and are using an unconventional technique to reach the masses.

As part of a weeklong tour the charity have hired a video van which will show video footage exploring the stark comparison between the lives of pigs on a sanctuary to those in factory farms destined for the dinner plate. Earlier this year Viva! and Dean Farm Animal Sanctuary rescued a sow and her six piglets from a farm where they faced certain death. Observing the family living happily and free inspired them to share the story with the public and embark on this video van tour.

Viva! denounces claims that the UK has the best animal welfare standards in the world. In fact over 90 per cent of pigs raised in the UK are intensively farmed which means they are kept inside, often with no bedding, in squalid, filthy pens and are subjected to countless barbaric farming practices.

A 2016 survey carried out by Viva! found that eighty-eight per cent of people have no idea that most pigs are killed at just six months old, despite having a natural life expectancy of around 15 years old. As well as 40 per cent didn’t realise that removing the end of piglet’s tails without anaesthetic was not illegal and 38 per cent didn’t think farmers were allowed to keep breeding, female pigs in farrowing crates for up to 5 weeks at a time which prevent them from turning around, which is in fact is 100 per cent legal.

In addition to the video van, Viva! will also be offering the public the opportunity to view shocking undercover footage taken from UK factory farms on virtual reality headsets. To demonstrate that a meat-free diet can be tasty, Viva! will be handing out free samples of meat-free sausages in each city.

Laura Hellwig Campaigns Assistant at Viva!, explains why Viva! have chosen this method of promotion:

“We want the British public to make the connection between the beautiful, intelligent beings shown on our film and the meat that ends up on their dinner plates.

By using the video van we can show this footage to a range of audiences that otherwise wouldn’t see it. The powerful comparison we’re showing will capture their attention and hopefully their hearts. In today’s society there are so many delicious alternatives to animal products, there has never been an easier time to try vegan.”

The van will tour the following cities between Monday 2 October and Sunday 8 October:

• Monday 2 October – Bristol (UWE, Harbour, M-Shed, College Green, Whiteladies Rd, Clifton Suspension Bridge)
• Tuesday 3 October – Bath (Bath Spa University, Cathedral, Royal Crescent)
• Wednesday 4 October – Birmingham (Birmingham City University, Bullring)
• Thursday 5 October – Coventry (Cathedral, Coventry and Warwickshire University)
• Friday 6 October – London (University College London, London Eye, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament)
• Saturday 7 October – Brighton (Viva! Vegan Festival Brighton Hilton Hotel, Pier, The Lanes, Brighton Dome)
• Sunday October – Oxford (Cathedral, Oxford University)

ENDS information:

For press enquiries please contact Justin Kerswell or Siobhan Dolan on 0117 944 1000. Laura Hellwig will be managing the tour, please call her on 07481 485618 to arrange interviews or photo opportunities.