M&S has launched its first ever children's book entitled "Farm to Foodhall, The Magic Ingredient". They have hailed it as an "educational tool" but that is clearly far from the case, as it grossly misrepresents the realities for farm animals and positions animal produce as "sustainable" when meat, dairy and eggs are amongst the most resource intensive foods we can buy and the huge harm animal agriculture is causing to the planet is already well documented.

Farm animals are referred to as “The magic ingredient” - making it sound like it is wonderful and exciting! On the front cover the cows are smiling and inside depicted taking showers. This book makes light of the harsh reality for farm animals. It paints a rosy picture of animals living out their lives in peace which is as far from the truth as it can be. Farm animal themed jokes are also throw in - how distasteful. These exploited animals are definitely not laughing and especially when they get inside the slaughterhouse where they all end up. No mention of that. It could not be anymore misleading. It is WRONG to teach children LIES.

A few "FUN FACTS" M&S have missed out:

• Dairy cows: no mention that they are forcibly impregnated, their babies taken within hours so we can consume their milk, that male calves are killed on site or sold for veal/meat. No mention of the fact that once dairy cows are used up at a fraction of their natural lifespan they are sent off to slaughter to be made into cheap meat. No mention that all plant milks are significantly less resource intensive then cows milk. Surely a missed opportunity from a book that is supposed to be educating children and families on sustainable food choices. 
• Chickens: Over 1.2 billion chickens are slaughtered every single year. Almost all of these poor birds never see the outside of the disgusting, crammed barns they are kept in except on the way to the slaughterhouse. And yes, that includes "free range". Chickens have been genetically manipulated to grow so fast that by four weeks old their legs cannot carry their body weight. They are slaughtered at six weeks old. Chickens are one of the most abused animals on the planet and the list of standard cruel practices  inflicted on them is long. None mentioned in this so called "educational" book.
• Salmon: they admit that it is farmed as the majority of salmon is. What they do not mention is the appalling conditions farmed fish are subjected to where they spend their short, miserable lives swimming in cramped waters where disease and parasites thrive. Not to mention the cruel way fish are killed off, which there are no welfare laws whatsoever. Fish feel pain.

The ‘fun’ facts tell children nothing of the unsustainable animal agriculture industry and do not give a balanced view.

Why would any parent want to feed their child lies? 

We are asking M&S to make a statement correcting the record and accepting that the book they have printed is not educational.

As well as signing and sharing this petition please send an email to M&S giving your feedback:
retailcustomer.services@customersupport.marksandspencer.com