There are about 1.5 billion cattle living on earth. In Germany, as of May 2019, there are about 11.8 million cattle, 25.9 million pigs, 1.6 million sheep and 41.4 million laying hens (Federal Statistical Office). The demand for meat continues to grow – the number of cattle in Brazil, one of the main producers of beef, rose from around 50 million in 1961 to 220 million in 2017. 600 kg cattle with a «yield» of 300 kg are fattened for two years and slaughtered at 18-24 months. Dairy cows live for about five years. The regular life of a cow is 20 years.

For the production of one kilo of beef, 15.4 kilos of CO2 are emitted. This means that cows damage the climate to the same extent as all cars, trucks and planes together, also because the methane produced in their stomachs is even more harmful than CO2. Feed additives are used to try to reduce methane emissions from cows (!).

On average, animal proteins are responsible for half of the diet-related environmental pollution.

According to the statistics of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, domestic net production of 8.7 million tonnes carcass weight (excluding imports) in 2018 was slightly down for beef and pork (in contrast to poultry). However:

«The total quantity of meat available for consumption in 2018 increased by 0.8 % compared to the previous year. The per capita consumption calculated on this basis is 88.6 kg and has thus increased again after two years of decline. The estimated per capita consumption in 2018 was 60.1 kg». (Source BMEL)

The industrialised slaughter process means: collection box, stunning, death by bleeding. (Homepage on transparency in slaughterhouses) This means that a cattle is cut open alive for bleeding.

Animal protection laws describe the method of killing (in German):
Verordnung über das Schlachten von Tieren (EU)
Deutsches Tierschutzgesetz
Schweizer Tierschutzverordnung

Dairy cows are mated again and again, because they only give milk when they have a calf, which is taken from them immediately after birth. A dairy cow is not allowed to care for her calf, which would correspond to normal behaviour.

The film «Game Changers» (2018/19) – starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, among others – shows that the meat diet is not only questioned by representatives of veganism, but is also raised to the topic via popular channels. Unfortunately this film is currently only available on Netflix (trailer).

Like pigs or sheep, cows also have pronounced cognitive abilities and emotions. They also have the ability to worry about the future, as scientists have found out. Like horses, they live in a complex herd system and communicate through body language, sounds and horns. Cows can mourn.

The results of behavioural research have led to a new discussion about animal rights and the position of farm animals as products. Representatives of animal ethics and animal rights demand that farm animals should not only be regarded as «fellow creatures» as stipulated in the Basic Law, but also as «fellow citizens» (as the Canadian philosopher Will Kymlicka demands). The results on the intelligence of these animals are in stark contrast to the still valid and outmoded use of animals today.

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Post a picture of you and your t-shirt on Instagram with the hashtag #jutaku-animal-trustee. Or introduce us to your cow, if you have one in your life!