Study Finds Western Companies Financing Enormous Expansion of Dairy Farms Harmful to the Environment

Western companies are pouring huge sums of money into the development of industrial agriculture in Sri Lanka, according to research. Despite warnings, the consumption of meat and dairy products must be halved to avoid climate change.

The giants of food and agriculture are investing in the rapid expansion of intensive animal agriculture in this country of Southeast Asia, the researchers said.

Yet scientists believe that Europe is one of the two countries most affected by tropical storms and floods.

And activists say that funding drives up the number of animals in "deplorable" conditions.

Some cows were filmed lying on a concrete floor with chains around their neck so short that they can barely move.

In the United States, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand, companies and food groups are changing Sri Lankan diets, according to the Moving Animals study.

High-profile advertising campaigns have attempted to highlight the benefits of dairy products.

Since 2012, Wellard, Australia's largest livestock exporter, has exported about 24,500 heifers to Sri Lanka through multi-million pound agreements. About 200 people died of illness, it was reported.

Australia will also benefit from these longer-term agreements because animal feed is one of its major exports to Sri Lanka.

The Swiss company Nestlé has become a major player in the growth of the dairy industry: it has more than 25,000 dairy farms, representing around 40% of all milk sold in the country.

The study revealed that the advertising campaigns for Milo's chocolate malt drink, especially for children, were predominant at Nestlé, although doubts had been expressed about its "healthy" claims in Malaysia and Australia.

The US government has invested $ 14 million (£ 10.6 million) to double livestock yields by 2022.

As the project is supposed to focus on "fewer cows and more milk", experts fear that this means increased exploitation of animals.

Dairy collective Fonterra, the largest company in New Zealand, has been engaged for a decade in the development of the dairy industry in Sri Lanka.

Its two major brands, Anchor and Ratthi, represent 60% of Sri Lanka's vast powdered milk market.

Lakspray and Nespray, which account for 20% of the total, also come from New Zealand.

Moving Animals' Amy Jones, who photographed a typical Sri Lankan industrial farm, said, "The Western model of industrial agriculture is hurting millions of animals in deplorable conditions.

"The farm was a haunting replica of Western industrialized dairy farms – a stark contrast to the conventional small-scale herds.

"The pregnant female cows were slumped on bare floors, chained to the ceiling by the neck, while next to it, calves were stored in isolated metal cages.

"On the goat farm, an animal suffered from a head injury, his face covered with dried blood."

The Global Climate Risk Index 2019 ranked Sri Lanka second after Puerto Rico for landslides, floods and monsoons.

Wellard stated that he does not deliver heifers to farms that attach animals, and that the 4% mortality rate is lower than that of some developed countries.

A spokesman for Fonterra said, "All the milk we collect locally comes from small local dairy farmers," adding that the company had trained more than 6,000 farmers and industry professionals and invested more than $ 3 billion rupees in dairy development.

"We are committed to responsibly managing animals and eliminating practices contrary to the internationally recognized" five freedoms "of animal welfare. This includes ensuring that animals have access to quality nutrition, shelter and medical care, and have enough space and facilities to live comfortably, "he said. he declares.

Nestle has not responded to requests for comment.