Veganuary Backlash Februdairy Anti Vegan Dairy Farmers

photographed by Nicole Maroon.

Judging by the amount of media coverage Veganuary received, you'd be forgiven for thinking the whole world gave up animal products last month. There's been much hype around #plantbased diets in recent years and veganism is in the ascendant. According to the Vegan Society, there were three and a half times as many vegans in the UK in 2016 as there were in 2006, bringing the number up to an estimated 542,000.

It's not just because veganism is now "trendy", either – vegan alternatives of our favourite foods (hello, camembert!) are tastier than ever, and evidence of cruel farming practices is no longer glossed over. People increasingly care about animal rights and how the food they eat gets on their plate.

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But now dairy farmers are fighting back with a campaign to promote their products in the UK. #Februdairy, which admittedly isn't the catchiest name, was launched in response to Veganuary for the first time this month.

So far, the campaign amounts to a Twitter account with over 1,800 followers at the time of writing, and a hashtag which, while yet to break the internet, has been included in a few popular tweets. One points out the additives in Alpro almond milk, some include videos of a few cows running around, while others refer to the health benefits of dairy products as part of a balanced diet.

One of these 'milks' has been shipped halfway round the world and tastes like dust, it also contains stabilisers, emulsifiers, synthetic vitamins and a health warning. The other is produced in Britain, contains milk and no health warnings at all... #februdairy @februdairy pic.twitter.com/TS8rr79oVK
— Daniel Brown (@DanPBrown) February 3, 2018

Happy healthy calves having a great time in there fresh straw bed #Februdairy pic.twitter.com/XpTXvifimb
— Philip Tyndall (@PhilipTyndall) February 7, 2018

Humans are omnivores eating a healthy balanced diet rich in protein, vitamins, fats and fibre are essential #nutrition for our body and #wellbeing ❤️. #ThankaFarmer #Februdairy #meatymarch #supportbritishfarming #HealthyFood #healthy #redtractor #HealthyEating pic.twitter.com/XWkzR3QJvO
— Girlsfarmtoo (@Girlsfarmtoo1) February 6, 2018

The farmers behind the campaign are also attempting to start a viral #MilkPintChallenge, in which people drink a pint of milk and nominate others to do the same, and to raise awareness of what they're calling the "misinformation" that has circulated about the dairy industry recently.

Thank you to @Farmer_Tom_UK for the #MilkPintChallenge nomination! I’d like to nominate my dairy farming friends from the Tesco Future Farming Foundation #FebruDairy pic.twitter.com/KDd6QVROpD
— Ben Stroud (@StroudAgri) February 7, 2018

#Februdairy is our big chance to correct the misinformation around dairy farming.#Februdairy isn’t about bashing veganism; it’s about showing off all the positives about our great dairy industry.
RT to spread the word; make sure to have your say and set the record straight. pic.twitter.com/n4eRYqbNe0
— Kilsunny Herd (@Kilsunny_Herd) February 1, 2018

However, vegans aren't taking this lying down and have started a backlash in the form of #FebNoDairy and #Februtaldairy, through which they're promoting the ethical, environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Please take the @FebNoDairy challenge this month.
Humane milk is a myth!
Say YES to #FebNoDairy and NO to #Februdairy pic.twitter.com/706AFue3VR
— FebNoDairy? (@FebNoDairy) February 1, 2018

Calves are generally taken away from their mothers within 24 hours of birth, causing immense distress for both mother and calf. Both usually cry out for each other. The mother has to endure this happening 4 or 5 times before she is considered ‘spent’. #Februdairy #Februtaldairy pic.twitter.com/cdOmjidL2q
— The Vegan Society (@TheVeganSociety) February 3, 2018

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