20/04/2014

Johannesburg: The second launch gathering of Farmageddon was held at the historic Constitutional Court.

My presentation opened with an acknowledgement that we were meeting in a place where the words ‘justice’ and ‘freedom’ perhaps hold more meaning than anywhere else in the world.

I was the guest of Professor David Bilchitz, the director of the South African Institute for Advanced Constitutional Human Rights and International Law (SAIFAC). It was such an honour to speak alongside the Professor, who is also one of the high profile signatories of Compassion’s ‘Vision for fair food and farming’ along with Dr Jane Goodall and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Farming in South Africa is going through a period of change. Large-scale industrial farming has started to creep into the country, particularly over the last 15 years. In talking with farmers, supermarket leaders, concerned citizens and audience members on the night, I’ve been struck by how similar the problems are here to those noted in Farmageddon. To me, the answer lies in bringing about a food policy for the 21^st century. This should be based on quality food for everyone forever. Instead, here in South Africa as in so many parts of the world, the US-style industrial farming model is being wheeled out – a tired farming policy, as I’ve discussed before, based on ‘produce more’, but wasting so much and ignoring the fact we already live in a world of plenty.

It was good to reach new people interested in the future of our food, as well as to say ‘hi’ to longstanding friends and supporters of Compassion in World Farming, many of whom I was meeting for the first time. It was great to hear the enthusiasm in the room for a food revolution; one that benefits animals, people and the planet.

A big thank you to everyone there on the night and to Professor Bilchitz for hosting; greatly appreciated.

For your copy of ‘Farmageddon: The true cost of cheap meat’, click here.