In April this year, the Dutch Parliament passed a motion (being a formal request by MPs asking the government to act (or not act) on a specific issue) on “weidegang van koeien” (cows’ freedom to graze).
In this particular motion, the government is requested to obtain information on not just how many dairy farms claim to let cows graze, but how many cows actually go out, for how long, etc.
So far, so good.
However, the motion also notes that one of the reasons for the motion is the following: “considering that the image of the dairy industry is strongly associated with images of cows in the fields”.
Apparently, cows grazing benefits the industry more than it benefits the cows themselves.
All the more painful when taking into consideration that in most cases, grazing cows have little to no protection from the elements. This is particularly baleful, as cows suffer from heat stress at a mere 22 degrees. So as romantic as images of cows in fields may be: They hide a world of suffering of cows. Hide their suffering in plain side.
So why is the motion worth mentioning? Because it once again proves that without humane washing, the industry doesn’t stand a chance.
It shows that the romantic image of grazing cows is used to promote the products of an industry built upon their suffering – that the victims of the industry are used as marketing tools to sustain said exact industry.
And this is why Stop Humane Washing exists: to expose the reality behind the idyllic imagery, in order to raise awareness about the true lives of cows used for dairy (or any animal, for that matter).
To create awareness about the fact that cows are not allowed to graze for their own benefit, but because it sells the products of their suffering.
Above: the motion in question with the quote highlighted.