Meat the Family. Another Ch4 meat bashing program

[Suffolk Serf]

Thanks. Sounds cringeworthy and laughable. Fairly typical for TV nowadays, I guess.

Shame I missed it; TV is still sitting on the side, unused since I moved in here in July.

I'd leave the telly where it is to be honest. You aren't missing anything.

 

[JP1]

@JP1, @Suffolk Serf

22h later, what's your considered opinion on the prog, as proper industry professionals? (The pig industry that is, not the self-promoting-social-media-bellend industry.)

Is it really going to encourage farm break-ins, intimidation of farmers, and livestock thefts?

Massive issue. The vegan bit is one thing but how do you relay to anyone outside the industry how serious and easy it would be to cause a mass outbreak of ASF or anything else

Incursion on a NI unit on Monday to publicise the ongoing campaign etc

Official view of the NPA today:

Channel 4 'How to Steal Pigs' documentary - NPA response
15th Jan 2020 / By Alistair Driver

Channel 4’s How to Steal Pigs and Influence People, which aired last night, showcased blatant criminal activity on farms, including, as the title suggests, multiple cases of pig theft.
But, while the NPA has branded this footage as irresponsible and is taking legal advice on our next steps, the programme did the animal rights activist movement few favours.
In fact, at times, those featured appeared downright ridiculous in vain pursuit of Instagram hits to boost their finances, often oblivious to the fact that their actions were causing more harm than good to the animals they were supposedly trying to help.
A scene where an activist defied veterinary advice to put a saved hen out of its misery, claiming she didn’t care what anyone said, summed up the skewed mentality.
The mystery of what happened to Hugo, a very young piglet snatched from its sow by Wesley Omar, the main focus of the programme, was tragi-comic. Wesley had intended to boost his Instagram followers by streaming his efforts to raise Hugo, but after just one night, there was no further sign of the pig and Wesley disappeared from social media for six months. His attempts to explain Hugo’s fate were, to put it kindly, unconvincing.
There remains genuine anger within the industry over the production company’s acceptance, or even endorsement, of the criminal activity shown and the mass ‘Meat the Victims’ incursions onto unsuspecting farms.
But the overall response to the programme – which also, bizarrely featured a group of raw meat eaters at the other end of the spectrum – among the wider public and farmers was largely unsympathetic towards the activists.
NPA policy services officer Lizzie Wilson said: “We remain concerned about how Channel 4 thought it was acceptable to showcase this sort of activity that can place an unacceptable burden on farming families, cause significant pig welfare problems and present massive biosecurity risks at a time when the industry is on high alert for African swine fever. Much of the activity shown was blatantly criminal and we continue to explore our options.
“But the programme also did us a favour, showcasing what this industry has been putting up with for many years from people whose motivation is questionable and who are largely ignorant in the realities of animal rearing.
“The general consensus on Twitter was abject shock at the criminal acts depicted and that many of the activist influencers are more concerned about raising their profile to make money, rather than the animals’ welfare.
“This was perfectly demonstrated by the MTV protest and the assumed demise of Hugo the piglet, taken from the sow at just a few days old. There was a lot of support for the farmers involved, which was welcome and a reminder that vegan activists really do not hold much sway among the wider public, who generally believe in and trust what we do.”
If you felt strongly about the programme and wish to complain to Channel 4, Ofcom or even your MP, we explain how you can do that here
More reaction
There was plenty of reaction on social media, including a message from Sergeant Rob Simpson, of Cheshire Constabulary, who said on Twitter:
“We support peoples varied lifestyle choices, but stealing livestock is a crime. Committing crime for social media likes and then risking the biosecurity of the farm, could result in all the livestock being destroyed. #RuralCrime #howtostealpigs #BioSecurity #Cheshire”
Other Twitter responses included:
“Five minutes in and its clear that #howtostealpigs from @Channel4 is a showcase for egotistical, idealistic morons. @MitsubishiUK was correct to decline to sponsor this particular documentary.”
@AlBalmain
“Another law Wes broke on #howtostealpigs - 2008/120/EEC No piglets shall be weaned from the sow at less than 28 days of age unless the welfare or health of the dam or the piglet would otherwise be adversely affected.”
@ShaneMcAuliffe1
“#howtostealpigs I’ve watched the first 5 minutes and can’t watch anymore. I get so aggravated by the shear incompetence of these #vegans it just beggars belief that@Channel4 would publish a documentary in my view inciting criminal activity fuelled by misinformation #bonkers”
@FarmerMatt64
"So someone steals a baby pig to grow his Instagram and it dies because its away from its mother. Yeah great vegans they really care, think farmers actually care more #howtostealpigs"
@gazguest_93
"This is special food for newborn pigs.’ Or you could leave it with its mum to suckle you little cretin #howtostealpigs #itsaboutthelikes #entitledsnowflakes"

 

[Scribus]

It was just totally bizarre.
It really didn't show the vegan activists in a good light at all, thankfully, showing them to be attention grabbing media tarts, incompetent to be in charge of a goldfish.
There were moments of comedy gold- Sylvia Hook shouting to the nutters who were occupying her pig farm live streaming a supposedly dying piglet "it's only asleep you idiots!"
And those extreme carnivores, ex vegans- I can't quite see why they were included- but the sight of them eating the raw deer innards with blood all over their faces, I found hilariously odd.
There is an honest review in the Times and on the NPA website an excellent summing up by the tenacious Lizzie Wilson.
Might it be premature to think that it might just be some sort of turning point?

I put the weird behavior of the carnivores down to them having been vegans for far longer than is good for their brains.

 

[Henarar]

Massive issue. The vegan bit is one thing but how do you relay to anyone outside the industry how serious and easy it would be to cause a mass outbreak of ASF or anything else

Incursion on a NI unit on Monday to publicise the ongoing campaign etc

Official view of the NPA today:

Channel 4 'How to Steal Pigs' documentary - NPA response
15th Jan 2020 / By Alistair Driver

Channel 4’s How to Steal Pigs and Influence People, which aired last night, showcased blatant criminal activity on farms, including, as the title suggests, multiple cases of pig theft.
But, while the NPA has branded this footage as irresponsible and is taking legal advice on our next steps, the programme did the animal rights activist movement few favours.
In fact, at times, those featured appeared downright ridiculous in vain pursuit of Instagram hits to boost their finances, often oblivious to the fact that their actions were causing more harm than good to the animals they were supposedly trying to help.
A scene where an activist defied veterinary advice to put a saved hen out of its misery, claiming she didn’t care what anyone said, summed up the skewed mentality.
The mystery of what happened to Hugo, a very young piglet snatched from its sow by Wesley Omar, the main focus of the programme, was tragi-comic. Wesley had intended to boost his Instagram followers by streaming his efforts to raise Hugo, but after just one night, there was no further sign of the pig and Wesley disappeared from social media for six months. His attempts to explain Hugo’s fate were, to put it kindly, unconvincing.
There remains genuine anger within the industry over the production company’s acceptance, or even endorsement, of the criminal activity shown and the mass ‘Meat the Victims’ incursions onto unsuspecting farms.
But the overall response to the programme – which also, bizarrely featured a group of raw meat eaters at the other end of the spectrum – among the wider public and farmers was largely unsympathetic towards the activists.
NPA policy services officer Lizzie Wilson said: “We remain concerned about how Channel 4 thought it was acceptable to showcase this sort of activity that can place an unacceptable burden on farming families, cause significant pig welfare problems and present massive biosecurity risks at a time when the industry is on high alert for African swine fever. Much of the activity shown was blatantly criminal and we continue to explore our options.
“But the programme also did us a favour, showcasing what this industry has been putting up with for many years from people whose motivation is questionable and who are largely ignorant in the realities of animal rearing.
“The general consensus on Twitter was abject shock at the criminal acts depicted and that many of the activist influencers are more concerned about raising their profile to make money, rather than the animals’ welfare.
“This was perfectly demonstrated by the MTV protest and the assumed demise of Hugo the piglet, taken from the sow at just a few days old. There was a lot of support for the farmers involved, which was welcome and a reminder that vegan activists really do not hold much sway among the wider public, who generally believe in and trust what we do.”
If you felt strongly about the programme and wish to complain to Channel 4, Ofcom or even your MP, we explain how you can do that here
More reaction
There was plenty of reaction on social media, including a message from Sergeant Rob Simpson, of Cheshire Constabulary, who said on Twitter:
“We support peoples varied lifestyle choices, but stealing livestock is a crime. Committing crime for social media likes and then risking the biosecurity of the farm, could result in all the livestock being destroyed. #RuralCrime #howtostealpigs #BioSecurity #Cheshire”
Other Twitter responses included:
“Five minutes in and its clear that #howtostealpigs from @Channel4 is a showcase for egotistical, idealistic morons. @MitsubishiUK was correct to decline to sponsor this particular documentary.”
@AlBalmain
“Another law Wes broke on #howtostealpigs - 2008/120/EEC No piglets shall be weaned from the sow at less than 28 days of age unless the welfare or health of the dam or the piglet would otherwise be adversely affected.”
@ShaneMcAuliffe1
“#howtostealpigs I’ve watched the first 5 minutes and can’t watch anymore. I get so aggravated by the shear incompetence of these #vegans it just beggars belief that@Channel4 would publish a documentary in my view inciting criminal activity fuelled by misinformation #bonkers”
@FarmerMatt64
"So someone steals a baby pig to grow his Instagram and it dies because its away from its mother. Yeah great vegans they really care, think farmers actually care more #howtostealpigs"
@gazguest_93
"This is special food for newborn pigs.’ Or you could leave it with its mum to suckle you little cretin #howtostealpigs #itsaboutthelikes #entitledsnowflakes"

the last word sums it up

 

[Still Farming]

Lambs and pigs on programme tonight

 

[Henarar]

they smell nice

 

[Still Farming]

Calves next week

 

[Will 1594]

Lambs and pigs on programme tonight

Black family , husband summed job up , too many choices. If there was nothing else you would eat it ,
And the geordie lot , oh we cut down on meat , but eating more chicken and fish ? Pescky ?. So it’s ok to eat fish and poultry , but not nice cuddly woolly jumpers or cute little piggy.
hypocritical views

 

[Scribus]

Massive issue. The vegan bit is one thing but how do you relay to anyone outside the industry how serious and easy it would be to cause a mass outbreak of ASF or anything else

Incursion on a NI unit on Monday to publicise the ongoing campaign etc

Official view of the NPA today:

Channel 4 'How to Steal Pigs' documentary - NPA response
15th Jan 2020 / By Alistair Driver

Channel 4’s How to Steal Pigs and Influence People, which aired last night, showcased blatant criminal activity on farms, including, as the title suggests, multiple cases of pig theft.
But, while the NPA has branded this footage as irresponsible and is taking legal advice on our next steps, the programme did the animal rights activist movement few favours.
In fact, at times, those featured appeared downright ridiculous in vain pursuit of Instagram hits to boost their finances, often oblivious to the fact that their actions were causing more harm than good to the animals they were supposedly trying to help.
A scene where an activist defied veterinary advice to put a saved hen out of its misery, claiming she didn’t care what anyone said, summed up the skewed mentality.
The mystery of what happened to Hugo, a very young piglet snatched from its sow by Wesley Omar, the main focus of the programme, was tragi-comic. Wesley had intended to boost his Instagram followers by streaming his efforts to raise Hugo, but after just one night, there was no further sign of the pig and Wesley disappeared from social media for six months. His attempts to explain Hugo’s fate were, to put it kindly, unconvincing.
There remains genuine anger within the industry over the production company’s acceptance, or even endorsement, of the criminal activity shown and the mass ‘Meat the Victims’ incursions onto unsuspecting farms.
But the overall response to the programme – which also, bizarrely featured a group of raw meat eaters at the other end of the spectrum – among the wider public and farmers was largely unsympathetic towards the activists.
NPA policy services officer Lizzie Wilson said: “We remain concerned about how Channel 4 thought it was acceptable to showcase this sort of activity that can place an unacceptable burden on farming families, cause significant pig welfare problems and present massive biosecurity risks at a time when the industry is on high alert for African swine fever. Much of the activity shown was blatantly criminal and we continue to explore our options.
“But the programme also did us a favour, showcasing what this industry has been putting up with for many years from people whose motivation is questionable and who are largely ignorant in the realities of animal rearing.
“The general consensus on Twitter was abject shock at the criminal acts depicted and that many of the activist influencers are more concerned about raising their profile to make money, rather than the animals’ welfare.
“This was perfectly demonstrated by the MTV protest and the assumed demise of Hugo the piglet, taken from the sow at just a few days old. There was a lot of support for the farmers involved, which was welcome and a reminder that vegan activists really do not hold much sway among the wider public, who generally believe in and trust what we do.”
If you felt strongly about the programme and wish to complain to Channel 4, Ofcom or even your MP, we explain how you can do that here
More reaction
There was plenty of reaction on social media, including a message from Sergeant Rob Simpson, of Cheshire Constabulary, who said on Twitter:
“We support peoples varied lifestyle choices, but stealing livestock is a crime. Committing crime for social media likes and then risking the biosecurity of the farm, could result in all the livestock being destroyed. #RuralCrime #howtostealpigs #BioSecurity #Cheshire”
Other Twitter responses included:
“Five minutes in and its clear that #howtostealpigs from @Channel4 is a showcase for egotistical, idealistic morons. @MitsubishiUK was correct to decline to sponsor this particular documentary.”
@AlBalmain
“Another law Wes broke on #howtostealpigs - 2008/120/EEC No piglets shall be weaned from the sow at less than 28 days of age unless the welfare or health of the dam or the piglet would otherwise be adversely affected.”
@ShaneMcAuliffe1
“#howtostealpigs I’ve watched the first 5 minutes and can’t watch anymore. I get so aggravated by the shear incompetence of these #vegans it just beggars belief that@Channel4 would publish a documentary in my view inciting criminal activity fuelled by misinformation #bonkers”
@FarmerMatt64
"So someone steals a baby pig to grow his Instagram and it dies because its away from its mother. Yeah great vegans they really care, think farmers actually care more #howtostealpigs"
@gazguest_93
"This is special food for newborn pigs.’ Or you could leave it with its mum to suckle you little cretin #howtostealpigs #itsaboutthelikes #entitledsnowflakes"

They doth protest too much. Channel 4 were there as a witness to events rather than a judge despite the NPA's insistence that they subjugate themselves to the NPA's sense of self righteousness. If I were NPA I'd just shut up and let the vegans hang themselves with their own rope.

 

[JP1]

They doth protest too much. Channel 4 were there as a witness to events rather than a judge despite the NPA's insistence that they subjugate themselves to the NPA's sense of self righteousness. If I were NPA I'd just shut up and let the vegans hang themselves with their own rope.

Absolute rubbish

The NPA represent the livelihoods of pig farmers in the UK. Over time there have been a series of incursions on UK pig farms that to this day still take their toll on farmers, families and staff

It's not a game it is deadly serious and they are absolutely correct in taking the stance they do

 

[Scribus]

Absolute rubbish

The NPA represent the livelihoods of pig farmers in the UK. Over time there have been a series of incursions on UK pig farms that to this day still take their toll on farmers, families and staff

It's not a game it is deadly serious and they are absolutely correct in taking the stance they do

By vegans who have been given themselves the opportunity to shoot themselves in the foot, which they have happily taken.

 

[JP1]

By vegans who have been given themselves the opportunity to shoot themselves in the foot, which they have happily taken.

No they haven't there will be some idiot copycat strikes and it only takes one disease breakdown to cause massive repercussions for years to come

 

[Scribus]

No they haven't there will be some idiot copycat strikes and it only takes one disease breakdown to cause massive repercussions for years to come

You and I are never going to agree on this so just carry on anyway, it won't help but you are not going to see that for a long time. However, its worth noting that of the two farmers shown one feisty lady stood up to the activists and provided one of the most telling moments while the other stood in bemusement as the activists went about their childish ways.

 

[glow worm]

I am watching how the NFU responds to this and will decide wether to renew my membership next time on its reaction.
They should be making formal complaints about the misleading and one sided content of these vegan propaganda programs and putting pressure on the levy boards to counter it with our own. As a member it is the least I expect and the large amount of money collected by levies should be spent exclusively on promoting the livestock sector and growing our market share. I would have no problem paying the levy if I saw decent advertising for British meat and it’s positive contribution to the rural landscape and environment on television, billboards, radio etc instead of the rubbish that comes through the letter box in the form of better returns leaflets. Have they noticed that the more we have increased production and become more efficient the smaller our margins become? Meanwhile meat sales per person decline and the supermarket shelves are full of foreign product.

couldnt agree more .. but .. we .. and the NFU.. should be fighting back with much more easy to understand information that non farming people should be able to understand, rather than slagging off veggies / vegans .. no matter what we all think of their publicity methods.. otherwise we become no better than them. We dont say that exclusive meat eating is the ONLY correct way to feed the nation. Nor do we get violent .. much as we'd like to sometimes .. if others dont like what we eat.. which is more than can be said for a supposidly large portion of vegans. I must admit I've never really understood what Torfu is. You know, the stuff they make meat free sausages from. I wonder how many vegans who slate farmers for using animal feed containing soya, know that Torfu is processed soya!! Like others on here, I too cant watch these ultra biasd anti meat programmes. I get too angry that nobody seems to be putting any defence up on our behalf. Something I did smile about last week. Someone we know who is a vegan, rushing out to get mousetraps when they had a mouse indoors!!

 

[JP1]

You and I are never going to agree on this so just carry on anyway, it won't help but you are not going to see that for a long time. However, its worth noting that of the two farmers shown one feisty lady stood up to the activists and provided one of the most telling moments while the other stood in bemusement as the activists went about their childish ways.

Well I'd say I'm at the sharp end

I say again, there will be folks hurt in the very near future if this lunacy continues

 

[Pilatus]

couldnt agree more .. but .. we .. and the NFU.. should be fighting back with much more easy to understand information that non farming people should be able to understand, rather than slagging off veggies / vegans .. no matter what we all think of their publicity methods.. otherwise we become no better than them. We dont say that exclusive meat eating is the ONLY correct way to feed the nation. Nor do we get violent .. much as we'd like to sometimes .. if others dont like what we eat.. which is more than can be said for a supposidly large portion of vegans. I must admit I've never really understood what Torfu is. You know, the stuff they make meat free sausages from. I wonder how many vegans who slate farmers for using animal feed containing soya, know that Torfu is processed soya!! Like others on here, I too cant watch these ultra biasd anti meat programmes. I get too angry that nobody seems to be putting any defence up on our behalf. Something I did smile about last week. Someone we know who is a vegan, rushing out to get mousetraps when they had a mouse indoors!!

Your last sentence sums it all in one, hypocrisy, hypocrisy and I say again hypocrisy.
I say it again, in the uk we have so much freedom of choice as regards the diet we choose , the fuel we choose. Take those freedoms away , I am sure we would not care what we ate or fuel we used when at deaths door. Ok the aforementioned will never happen but I stand by what I say.

 

[Scribus]

Well I'd say I'm at the sharp end

I say again, there will be folks hurt in the very near future if this lunacy continues

There are hundreds of thousands of folk living on the frontline within inner cities and on sink estates who'd swap with a pig farmer any day I'm sure. Two wrongs do not make a right, but I fail to see any part of that documentary that would encourage an increase in vegan activism.

 

[unlacedgecko]

Watched the second episode tonight. The pigs went to slaughter and the family decided to eat more high welfare meat in the future.

Great TV. I’d of thought most commentators would be applauding the message?

 

[holywell farmer]

Massive issue. The vegan bit is one thing but how do you relay to anyone outside the industry how serious and easy it would be to cause a mass outbreak of ASF or anything else

Incursion on a NI unit on Monday to publicise the ongoing campaign etc

Official view of the NPA today:

Channel 4 'How to Steal Pigs' documentary - NPA response
15th Jan 2020 / By Alistair Driver

Channel 4’s How to Steal Pigs and Influence People, which aired last night, showcased blatant criminal activity on farms, including, as the title suggests, multiple cases of pig theft.
But, while the NPA has branded this footage as irresponsible and is taking legal advice on our next steps, the programme did the animal rights activist movement few favours.
In fact, at times, those featured appeared downright ridiculous in vain pursuit of Instagram hits to boost their finances, often oblivious to the fact that their actions were causing more harm than good to the animals they were supposedly trying to help.
A scene where an activist defied veterinary advice to put a saved hen out of its misery, claiming she didn’t care what anyone said, summed up the skewed mentality.
The mystery of what happened to Hugo, a very young piglet snatched from its sow by Wesley Omar, the main focus of the programme, was tragi-comic. Wesley had intended to boost his Instagram followers by streaming his efforts to raise Hugo, but after just one night, there was no further sign of the pig and Wesley disappeared from social media for six months. His attempts to explain Hugo’s fate were, to put it kindly, unconvincing.
There remains genuine anger within the industry over the production company’s acceptance, or even endorsement, of the criminal activity shown and the mass ‘Meat the Victims’ incursions onto unsuspecting farms.
But the overall response to the programme – which also, bizarrely featured a group of raw meat eaters at the other end of the spectrum – among the wider public and farmers was largely unsympathetic towards the activists.
NPA policy services officer Lizzie Wilson said: “We remain concerned about how Channel 4 thought it was acceptable to showcase this sort of activity that can place an unacceptable burden on farming families, cause significant pig welfare problems and present massive biosecurity risks at a time when the industry is on high alert for African swine fever. Much of the activity shown was blatantly criminal and we continue to explore our options.
“But the programme also did us a favour, showcasing what this industry has been putting up with for many years from people whose motivation is questionable and who are largely ignorant in the realities of animal rearing.
“The general consensus on Twitter was abject shock at the criminal acts depicted and that many of the activist influencers are more concerned about raising their profile to make money, rather than the animals’ welfare.
“This was perfectly demonstrated by the MTV protest and the assumed demise of Hugo the piglet, taken from the sow at just a few days old. There was a lot of support for the farmers involved, which was welcome and a reminder that vegan activists really do not hold much sway among the wider public, who generally believe in and trust what we do.”
If you felt strongly about the programme and wish to complain to Channel 4, Ofcom or even your MP, we explain how you can do that here
More reaction
There was plenty of reaction on social media, including a message from Sergeant Rob Simpson, of Cheshire Constabulary, who said on Twitter:
“We support peoples varied lifestyle choices, but stealing livestock is a crime. Committing crime for social media likes and then risking the biosecurity of the farm, could result in all the livestock being destroyed. #RuralCrime #howtostealpigs #BioSecurity #Cheshire”
Other Twitter responses included:
“Five minutes in and its clear that #howtostealpigs from @Channel4 is a showcase for egotistical, idealistic morons. @MitsubishiUK was correct to decline to sponsor this particular documentary.”
@AlBalmain
“Another law Wes broke on #howtostealpigs - 2008/120/EEC No piglets shall be weaned from the sow at less than 28 days of age unless the welfare or health of the dam or the piglet would otherwise be adversely affected.”
@ShaneMcAuliffe1
“#howtostealpigs I’ve watched the first 5 minutes and can’t watch anymore. I get so aggravated by the shear incompetence of these #vegans it just beggars belief that@Channel4 would publish a documentary in my view inciting criminal activity fuelled by misinformation #bonkers”
@FarmerMatt64
"So someone steals a baby pig to grow his Instagram and it dies because its away from its mother. Yeah great vegans they really care, think farmers actually care more #howtostealpigs"
@gazguest_93
"This is special food for newborn pigs.’ Or you could leave it with its mum to suckle you little cretin #howtostealpigs #itsaboutthelikes #entitledsnowflakes"

How ridiculous commite a crime on a tv programme but I guess makes the police job easier ?