Setting the standard for Cruelty-free diary

Cruelty-free milk and dairy products-It's a nice idea,sure, but how exactly are we going to make that happen ecspecially in a society that sees the cow as nothing more than lunch?? Well, I was in a meeting a few days ago and we were discussing all the who, what, where, and how we are going to make this a reality.
At the moment, there is no set standard as to what it means to have 'cruelty-free' milk/dairies, and so setting this standard it going to be the first step. So we are going to set that standard and use it to push the campaign forward. Here are some of the points that we came up with for creating that standard:

o Cows never slaughtered
o Process of milking
o type of feed
o names for cows ( cool article about cows who are named)
o antibiotics / hormones
o artificial insemination
o free to roam
o separation of calves
o treatment of oxen
o personal attention given to cows
o organic practice and standards
o localized selling
o pasteurized / non- pasteurized

If anyone has any other points that you think should be included post a comment (although, I think, at the moment, our comments button isn't working, but you can always email us on happyhealthycows@googlemail.com)

What's so special about the cow?

Quite a few people have asked me lately what is so special about the cow. If this question sounds familiar to you than please keep reading.

I think before I go any further with the blogs; talking about going organic and making a change in the way we perceive our bovine friends and the way they are treated, I would try to answer, “why the cow?”.

Maybe you’re familiar with the term “mother cow”; if not, this concept has been woven throughout the diverse tapestry of world culture and tradition since time immemorial.

The Vikings saw the cow as a source of wealth and would take them on voyages at sea because they could produce milk on the journey and start a herd when in the new land.

The Egyptian mother goddess, Hathor, was depicted with cow horns or as an actual cow nourishing the pharaoh.

On the Indian subcontinent, the cow is known as “go-mata, mother cow; “kamadhenu”, wish fulfilling; and “Aghnya”, never to be killed; thus were given all protection (although in present times, this respect has been eroded by the greedy leather and meat industries feeding off of severe poverty, but I‘ll hold off on that one) Mahatma Gandhi, who was the epitome of ahimsa living said, “ Why the cow was selected for apotheosis is obvious to me. The cow was in India the best companion. She was the giver of plenty. Not only did she give milk, but she also made agriculture possible [through the engagement of the bull]”

Many of these cultures also made a link between the mother cow and mother earth. The Native American saw the cow as representing the power of the Earth, and proclaimed that, “it is only by honoring the Earth that we can avert disaster”. So just as the Earth’s gift of natural resources sustains and nurtures all life, the cow similarly natures and mothers humanity through her voluntary gift of milk and the resultant milk products. The cow, as with the Earth, therefore must be looked after and protected from all injustices brought on by the greed and selfish motives of man.

There is, and has always been, a traditional, symbiotic relationship with the cow based on respect and non-violence for all things Organics, while certainly not the all and all, is a good first step to re-establishing this noble attitude. Below is a nice link. They are based in India, but it gives alot of good info.
www.mothercow.org

Ahimsa Milk-The first step to true compassion

No parent would like to see their children suffer. So why should we let the cows and their calves suffer to feed our children industrialized milk, when there is a much better, healthier and more compassionate alternative?

'Ahimsa', which means non-violence, is a brand new initiative that is calling to prohibit the sale of all non-organic milk in the UK's five biggest supermarket chains (namely Tesco's Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Morrisons and Asda).

Ultimately, we want to see cruelty free milk production where cows are allowed to live out their lives naturally and bullocks aren't slaughtered at birth. And with your support, we can make that happen!

Sign the petition to take the first step in making cruelty-free milk a reality.

http://www.thelotustrust.org/petition.php

You can also find us on MySpace and Facebook:

MySpace

Facebook Group We also have a normal facebook page under 'Ahimsa Cows'

Check us out and Stay tuned, we will keep you up to date on all our progress!