Tomasz Herok on working undercover in factory farms
Jan 31, 2024
01:12:00
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Tomasz Herok, who worked undercover in factory farms, shares his experiences and challenges as an undercover investigator. Topics covered include the complexities of being an investigator, trauma and mental health, successful campaigning, changing views on insect consciousness, transitioning to veganism, paradoxes of factory farm workers, manipulation and intimidation, and book and podcast recommendations for animal ethics.
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Quick takeaways
Some factory farm workers show surprising compassion towards animals, challenging the perception of profit and indifference.
Legal threats and attempts to suppress released footage hindered the investigation, but media attention was significant.
Positive developments in animal advocacy, such as fur farming bans and improving welfare conditions, show the potential for effective changes.
Deep dives
Conditions in Factory Farms
The podcast episode explores the undercover investigation of factory farms, focusing on the conditions and treatment of animals. The interviewee, Tomás, spent five months working undercover in UK factory farms, documenting the everyday practices and welfare standards. He shares his experiences, including the challenges of handling animals, the emotional toll it takes, and the issues with factory farming, such as high mortality rates and legal abuse.
Compassion Among Workers
Despite their role in the industry, Tomás found that some factory farm workers displayed surprising compassion towards animals. He shares anecdotes of coworkers rescuing frogs and snails, expressing sadness over chicken deaths, and even advocating for reduced animal product consumption. This contradicts the notion that workers are solely driven by profit or indifference towards animal welfare.
Legal Challenges and Media Response
Tomás faced legal threats and attempts to suppress the released footage. Companies targeted by the investigation, such as Lidl, denied being associated with the farms, leading to conflicts with media outlets. Despite these challenges, the investigation received significant media attention, with over 250 articles published. Open Cages continues to pressure retailers to adopt the Better Chicken Commitment, aiming for improved welfare standards in the industry.
Gratifying Developments in Animal Advocacy
The banning of fur farming in the Netherlands and the ongoing European initiatives to ban fur farming and improve welfare conditions in the poultry industry are positive developments in animal advocacy. These achievements demonstrate the potential for effective changes through raising awareness and working with politicians.
Recommendations
For readers interested in animal ethics, the book 'Fellow Creatures' by Christine Korsgaard is recommended. It explores the philosophical aspects of animal ethics. The podcast 'Tech Won't Save Us' and the YouTube channel 'Unlearning Economics' provide critical perspectives on effective altruism and societal change. These resources offer insights into the limitations and criticisms of current systems and theories for creating a better world.
Description: Tomasz Herok recently spent over 5 months working undercover on British factory farms, as part of an investigation by Open Cages, the UK branch of Anima International.
[Trigger warning: graphic descriptions of animals suffering on factory farms throughout the episode]
In this episode we understand the complexities involved in being an undercover investigator, what Tomasz’s role on the farm entailed during his time there and how he personally deals with the trauma presented. We also talk through the campaign that the footage was used for and what Tomasz needed to capture in order for this to be a success.
An intense but incredibly in-depth look at the role of undercover investigators and what they witness on today's factory farms.
Relevant links to things mentioned throughout the show:
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