A major UK dairy producer has claimed that vegan cancel culture combined with the war in Ukraine is making farming untenable. Arla Foods has claimed that fear of climate change has resulted in people being ashamed to eat dairy in public.
According to The Telegraph:
Arla Foods said people are “feeling ashamed towards dairy in public” and claimed that cancel culture has hit diets as swathes of Gen Z and Millennials turn to veganism.
At the same time, the dairy co-operative warned the surge in costs for feed, fertiliser and fuel facing farmers following the war in Ukraine could force many of them to throw in the towel. Industry experts have warned milk prices could rise by as much as 50pc as producers are forced to pass on the jump in costs.
Arla has launched a “don’t cancel the cow” campaign after concerns of considerable climate impact were raised. The UN estimated in 2019 that around 3pc of global emissions were from the dairy industry: more than aviation.
“Social media is definitely playing a significant part and you’d argue to the younger consumers more so than other generations,” said Graham Wilkinson, agriculture director at Arla.
“We need to ultimately do a better job in communicating our message, especially to younger consumers.”
He said the company is looking at reducing emissions in feed efficiency and the use of slurries and manure, but warned that considerable investments will need to be made, such as for anaerobic digestion facilities.
