“European Parliament flinches at factory farming reality”

Our exhibition with EEB, “Factory Farming: Unveiling the Hidden Costs,” which took place in the European Parliament this week, received press coverage in key Brussels’ media, including the Brussels Times and POLITICO.

POLITICO picked up on the fact that one of the images we had planned to display in the exhibition was deemed too shocking even for this subject matter. Polish MEP Kosma Złotowski, a senior official who approves internal events, flagged the image of a screaming, restrained piglet mid-castration as “exceptionally drastic.” The article explains: 

“‘In agreement with MEP Tilly Metz, the photo was replaced by another one sent by her office,’ Złotowski said in a written reply, citing rules against offensive or disruptive content.

Metz told POLITICO she disagreed with the decision, but wasn’t surprised — saying that since last year’s EU election, which saw a surge of right-wing and populist lawmakers, even factual depictions of farming and climate issues have become politically sensitive.”

The Brussels Times article focused on the motivation behind the exhibition, quoting our very own Olga Kikou (Director of Advocacy and one of the organizers of the “End the Cage Age” European Citizens’ Initiative): 

“In factory farms, animals are turned into production machines. Being forced to live in high concentrations in unnatural social groups leads to behavioral problems and the spread of disease. Animals have no contact with the outdoors, are fed human-edible crops and are often sick. The physiological and psychological issues stemming from these systems lead the industry to adopt ‘quick fixes,’ such as cages or mutilations.”

See photos from the event here.