Animal rights protest against factory farming takes to the streets

This was announced last week by an animal rights campaigner who only identified himself as Donovan Rabbie. He added that more than 80 people, including members of the public, were expected to participte in the awareness campaign protest.

“I am helping to set up a peaceful protest to stand against factory farming in South Africa on 7 November. We will be on the corner of Cedar and Witkoppen roads at 10am,” said Rabbie in a written communication to Fourways Review.

This will be the second protest to be staged in the same area this year.

Although there would not be any petition signing or handing over, public awareness about the practice of factory farming will be created.

Rabbie described factory farming as an artificial system of rearing livestock using intensive methods which he said were a violation of animal rights. “A factory farm is a large, industrial operation that raises large numbers of animals for food [or other purposes]. It’s focus is on profit and efficiency at the expense of the animals’ welfare,” said Rabbie.

He said the practice involves packing animals into tight spaces which curtails any mobility, making it impossible for them to engage in natural behaviour. “Without the room to engage in natural behaviour, confined animals experience severe physical and mental distress,” explained Rabbie.

He said the idea was to name and shame the practice of factory farming with the view to alert members of the public about the cruel conduct of people who are in this industry.

“It is, therefore, our duty to inform and educate the public on these matters, so consumers can make better-informed decisions when buying animal products [and food],” said Rabbie.

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