A shocking animal rights virtual reality campaign is outside the SU

Putting on the virtual reality goggles and headphones outside the SU, you are transported to a factory in which pigs are being slaughtered and castrated. This is part of a campaign by international animal rights organisation Animal Equality.

The organisation and Vegetarian and Vegan Society have teamed up to increase people’s awareness of the process. Their aim is not to shame meat-eaters, but to make them aware of the decisions they are making.

The stand was up yesterday and today, and over the two days almost 400 people will have watched the video.

The shocking footage was filmed over an 18 month period to produce the film, and shows you the entire process from birth, to slaughter and preparation of pork to be sold. It spares no details, and explicitly shows how cruel the industry is. At times it is unbearable to watch.

The virtual reality goggles and headphones are so immersive that the video is extremely hard hitting. As it is ‘virtual reality’ you can look around within the film and get a real sense of what the factory is like.

A spokesperson for Animal Equity said: “Most people are shocked. A few people have cried and we’ve had to give people hugs just to calm them down. A lot of people ask us questions afterwards; they ask how they can help. They agree with what we’re trying to do and they have their own concerns about how they can reduce their meat intake.”

The virtual experience is narrated by Downton Abbey actor Peter Egan, and the inclusion of celebrity figures is considered vital to the cause.

The spokesperson explained: “Celebrities hold a very strong opinion across the world, so of course it’s important to get as many public figures supporting us as possible.”

Speaking to Megan McGrath, president of the Vegetarian and Vegan Society, she said: “A few people have quite a lot of barriers about veganism, I know I used to, I didn’t used to understand the industry previously. But we’ve had a lot of good reactions. And even if only one person decides to go vegan from this then that’s great and it will make a massive impact.”

Elliot Mawhinney, another member of Vegetarian and Vegan society commented saying: “There’s a lot of abuse that goes on in the different animal industries which people don’t realise, for example the in fashion or the dairy market.

“It’s shocking how far reaching the animal industry is and how much power there is in it.”

The Animal Equality film can be viewed here: www.iAnimal.uk