On September 15, Animal Equality met at São Paulo’s State Assembly alongside several animal, environmental, and human health protection organizations. The public hearing was organized by Animal Equality with the support of State Representative Carlos Giannazi. The organizations met in opposition of Brazil’s ‘Self-Control’ Bill1 to discuss their concerns of the harmful initiative.
Who attended the public hearing?
Representatives from animal and environmental protection, human health, and labor union organizations were present at the Assembly. Animal Equality’s Executive Director of Brazil, Carla Lettieri, and Mercy for Animals’ Executive Director, Cristina Mendonça, spoke on behalf of farmed animals that will be impacted by the ‘Self-Control’ Bill.
It was the combination of Animal Equality with the inspectors that brought attention to [the bill] and united several organizations to this opposition. It’s a fight not only for animals. Animal Equality, with other animal protection organizations, is fighting for animals. But the group is fighting for being on the right side against the abuses of larger corporations in disregard of life.
-Carla Lettieri, Executive Director for Animal Equality, Brazil
Why is the ‘Self-Control’ Bill harmful to animals?
The passing of Brazil’s ‘Self-Control’ Bill would allow the meat industry to conduct its own animal welfare inspections. This creates a conflict of interest where the industry that inflicts suffering on farmed animals will monitor its own compliance with animal welfare and hygienic-sanitary standards. This puts 6 billion animals – like cows, chickens and pigs – at risk in Brazil every year.2
Since this bill will withdraw governmental inspections from all of the food industry, we can know that it will impact several [animal agriculture] settings – [slaughterhouses and farms]. It will affect the food industry as a whole.
-Carla Lettieri, Executive Director for Animal Equality, Brazil
The impact this bill will create has been documented by Animal Equality and was presented during the public hearing. Undercover investigators filmed how three slaughterhouses were already operating without government inspections.1
As the investigation reveals:
- Workers beat, kick, and shock cows
- Cows are dragged forcibly by ropes
- Workers twist cows’ tails to induce pain and make them move
- Cows are slaughtered while fully conscious after being ineffectively stunned
- Cows being skinned alive – the muscle of the cow comes into contact with the filthy slaughterhouse floor
What are the next steps?
Throughout the life of the ‘Self-Control’ Bill, senators have only invited opinions from the meat industry and food associations. They have yet to hear the opposition. Animal Equality, along with the other represented organizations, used the public hearing as a public act against the bill to have their voices against the bill heard.
As a result of this public hearing, Deputado Carlos Giannazi will release an official letter to members of the Senate. The note will point out the main topics highlighted during the public hearing to create more debate and resistance to the bill.
Animal Equality will continue to fight against Brazil’s ‘Self-Control’ Bill by working with other opposing organizations. We will continue to educate the public about this harmful initiative to deepen the debate. And we will never stop fighting for the 6 billion farmed animals that will be at risk if the bill passes.
How You Can Show Your Opposition:
As the largest exporter of meat from cows, the impact of the bill will be felt around the world. For example, one in ten exports of meat from cows in the United States comes from Brazil. The ‘Self-Control’ bill is a global issue. As such, we need international support.
By sharing this article on social media to increase its impact, you are helping create resistance to the bill. And you are making sure Brazil’s senators can’t ignore the voices of the opposition and the animals.
You can also help farmed animals around the world by leaving their suffering off of your plate.
SOURCES:
1Investigation: Extreme Abuse In Self-Regulated Slaughterhouses: https://animalequality.org/news/investigation-extreme-abuse-in-self-regulated-slaughterhouses/
2Global Animal Slaughter Statistics & Charts: https://faunalytics.org/global-animal-slaughter-statistics-and-charts-2020-update/
