Animal Ag’s Legal Panic: Activism Crackdowns, Banned Dairy Ads, and Perdue’s Fishy Chicken Nuggets | Rising Anxieties

In this week’s delightfully disturbing dive into animal agriculture’s paranoia, Mariann Sullivan unpacks the industry’s latest pearl-clutching over those pesky activists who have the audacity to…checks notes…document actual conditions on farms. Gasp! From Canadian farmers fretting about undercover investigations to Perdue shaping chicken meat into cute sea creatures while the plant-based industry gets crucified for “confusing” labeling, the hypocrisy reaches ocean depths. Meanwhile, the UK bans a dairy ad seen by millions because 25 people complained, and Perdue executives try desperately to silence protesters by essentially arguing that the First Amendment has a “but not in my neighborhood” clause.

Episode Highlights:

• Canadian Farms “At Risk” from Activism: Ag legal expert warns about undercover surveillance and welfare complaints, while conveniently ignoring why such tactics might be necessary
• Perdue’s Bizarre Sea Creature Chicken Nuggets: The irony of shaping chicken into fish, dolphins and turtles while the plant-based industry faces labeling scrutiny
• UK Advertising Standards Authority Bans Anti-Dairy Ad: “Dairy Is Scary” ad banned after reaching 3.5 million viewers because 0.0025% complained
• Mink Release Activists Face Cruel Twist: Prosecutors drop conspiracy charges but add “aggravated cruelty to animals” against activists who freed mink from fur farms
• Perdue Executives Sue DXE Over Protests: Second executive files lawsuit to stop peaceful protests outside their homes, claiming “emotional distress”

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