No Such Thing as “Happy Cows”!

 

WHAT:  PETA has recently lodged a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission about the misleading commercials created by the California Milk Advisory Board which suggest that California dairy cows lead happy, peaceful lives.  As anyone involved with animal protection knows, that is far from the truth.  California’s dairy cows suffer horrible exploitation, disease and abuse.  For more information, visit PETA’s web site:  http://www.peta.org/feat/caldairy/

WHAT YOU CAN DO:  Write to the Federal Trade Commission and express your support for PETA’s complaint.

 

SAMPLE LETTER:

 

 

May 3, 2002

 

Federal Trade Commission

CRC-240

600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.

Washington, DC 20580

 

Re:  PETA’s complaint against California Milk Advisory Board

 

To Whom It May Concern:

 

I am a resident of California who supports the complaint by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals against the California Milk Advisory Board.  I have been subjected for many months now to advertisements that purport to represent the “happy cows” that produce milk in California.  Because I care about animals and about where my food comes from, I am more aware of the truly horrific conditions in which factory-farmed animals live than is the average consumer.  I am disgusted that these ads, while amusing, are allowed to run and to mislead viewers into thinking that California milk products are cleaner, healthier and less exploitative of animals than are those from other areas of the country.  The number of dairy cows who lead the lives portrayed in these commercials is close to zero.  The reality of huge dairy farms is unsanitary, abusive and abhorrent.  The CMAB has perpetrated a blatant misrepresentation on the people of California.

 

It is unconscionable that a politically well-connected, well-funded industry such as agri-business should not be held to the same legal and ethical standards as other organizations.  California consumers deserve to know the truth about the origin of the food that they eat, or at the very least, should not have outright lies told to them.  I urge the Federal Trade Commission to seriously consider this important matter and take appropriate measures.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Christina J. Johnson

123 Main Street

Los Angeles, CA 90001