“Animals have that bond too. Mother cows and their babies have a special connection. It hurts them to be separated. But that’s what happens every single day in the dairy industry.”

Award-winning actor Miriam Margolyes has called on the UK government to financially support dairy farmers who transition into plant-based farming.

The Harry Potter star has joined forces with advocacy organization Animal Equality to request the government to utilize tax payer money towards subsidies for plant-based alternatives, rewilding of land, and incentives for arable farming.

According to Animal Equality, over the past few years, British dairy farmers received more than £56 million annually in direct Government payments making up nearly 40% of their profits.

Miriam Margolyes and Animal Equality

Margolyes’ involvement follows her “journey of discovery” after learning about the abuses of farmed animals.

Miriam watched secret footage captured by one of Animal Equality’s investigators inside UK’s Madox Farm in Wales. 

 The investigation was also aired on BBC One’s Panorama in February. It revealed the extreme abuse and neglect that takes place every single day in the dairy industry.

The footage showed cows being kicked in the udders and slammed with shovels.

Among other abuses, the investigation also captured how mother cows were impacted after their new born calves were separated from them.

‘Broke my heart’

“I was so upset when I found out the truth about this exploitation. I know what it’s like to have a strong bond with your mother,” Margolyes said in a statement.

“Animals have that bond too. Mother cows and their babies have a special connection. It hurts them to be separated. But that’s what happens every single day in the dairy industry.

“It broke my heart. But I was also thankful that this had been brought to my attention. Everyone deserves to know the truth.”

The entire dairy industry is built on exploitation

The charity has investigated four UK dairy farms over the past six years and found mistreatment and animal abuse on each one.

“It is never the case of just one farm or worker being a ‘bad apple’ ­­– the entire dairy industry is built on exploitation and as a result, animal suffering is at its core,” the animal charity said.

It added: “The dairy industry is inherently cruel – whether cows are raised on a small-scale organic farm or an intensive one, they will be impregnated and have their babies taken away from them over and over again, in a cruel cycle of physical and psychological pain.”

According to Animal Equality, it wants to make British people aware about the cruelty of dairy farms in the UK and inspire people to eliminate dairy from their diets.

 “Every time you choose plant-based options instead of dairy, you are helping cows,” the charity noted.

Speaking about her Animal Equality’s work, Margolyes added: “If we’re successful, more people will choose plant-based options and they’ll drink less cows’ milk, which means fewer cows will be separated and killed.

“I really believe we can make a difference. If we all work together, there’s so much we can achieve for animals.”

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