A UK animal rights charity has urged the public to give up dairy products for International Women’s Day, citing concerns over public awareness of how milk and cheese are produced.
Animal Justice Project, which campaigns against intensive farming practices, commissioned a YouGov survey to assess public knowledge of the dairy industry. The results, published ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March, reveal widespread misconceptions about dairy farming.
The survey found that more than half (52%) of Britons were unaware that dairy cows must be impregnated each year in order to produce milk. Additionally, 83% of respondents did not realise that calves are typically separated from their mothers within 24 hours of birth, a practice that animal welfare groups describe as highly distressing.
Furthermore, 82% of those surveyed did not know that dairy cows are usually slaughtered at five to seven years old, despite their natural lifespan being between 20 and 30 years.
Call for Transparency
Campaigners argue that these findings highlight a failure of transparency within the dairy industry. Only 17% of respondents felt that dairy companies provide enough information about how milk and cheese are produced.
Claire Palmer, founder and director of Animal Justice Project, said:
“More than half of the British public did not know that a cow must be repeatedly impregnated and give birth in order to make milk. Let that sink in.”
She added:
“In 2025, it is absurd that most people still don’t realise that, just like humans, cows must be pregnant to lactate. But it’s also no surprise, given the systematic disinformation the dairy industry has spread for decades.”
Animal Justice Project is calling on the public to take action by avoiding dairy on International Women’s Day.
Industry Under Scrutiny
The survey results have been described as a “wake-up call” by Andy Shovel, co-founder of the plant-based meat brand THIS. He recently launched abitweird.org, a campaign highlighting the ethical concerns of the dairy industry.
“As a nation, we pride ourselves on kindness towards animals. We were the first country to introduce animal protection laws and ban fur farms. But when it comes to the dairy industry, ignorance is bliss,” he said.
Matthew Glover, founder of the Veganuary campaign, called the findings “a serious eye-opener”, adding:
“If the British public truly understood the misery and suffering behind their milk and cheese, I am certain that more would be ditching dairy and choosing plant-based foods.”
Growing Shift to Plant-Based Alternatives
Despite the lack of awareness around dairy farming practices, the survey found that one-third of Britons (32%) are open to oat milk as a default option in cafés.
Robbie Lockie, CEO of The Freedom Food Alliance, said the results highlight the need for greater honesty in food labelling.
“If consumers were given the full picture—free from marketing spin—I have no doubt that many would rethink their choices.”
Campaigners hope that their International Women’s Day appeal will encourage the public to reconsider their dairy consumption and make more informed choices about their food.