PETA's Mind on Mars

In a new campaign, Mars Candy Kills, PETA says it has "uncovered gruesome evidence" that chocolate multinational Mars pays for deadly tests on mice, rats, guinea pigs, and rabbits. So the group is "launching a worldwide boycott of Snickers, M&M's, Twix, Milky Way, 3 Musketeers, Starburst, Dove, Skittles, and other Mars-made products until the company has a heart and stops hurting animals."

On the surface, this campaign seems reasonable. Why is Mars supporting animal tests -- 'gruesome' or any other kind?

Yet another question is just as appropriate: Why should advocates agree to boycott the Mars company's dairy products simply until they disconnect from vivisection? Doesn't that pervert some key messages the public needs to hear?

Milk, a main component in many Mars products, comes from dairy cows, who spend their years producing for us, later to be ground into hamburger or pet food. Veal is inextricably linked to the dairy industry. Skittles contain gelatin, made from animals' bodies.

Moreover, there is a disturbing link between big chocolate companies and human rights abuses. Cocoa companies pay prices so low that many farmers cannot meet their families' basic needs, and the biggest retail vendor involved is M&M/Mars. (For more information see "Fair Trade Chocolate: The Sweetest Direct Action You'll Ever Do" by Lee Hall http://www.friendsofanimals.org/actionline/winter-2006/buy-fair-trade.php).

And animal agribusiness, including dairy, is an environmental nightmare. It's unacceptable to have any apparently temporary boycotts of dairy products. Dairy should be off the menu, off the ingredients lists, and it needs to go now. This message is not "purist" -- it is environmentally and ethically crucial.

As vegans and animal advocates seeking to make a difference, our resources are limited and valuable. We cannot afford to be one-tracked and, in this case, focus solely on animal testing while ignoring other enormously important realities.

Vegan activism addresses the key issues at once, in order to cultivate a better world for all animal life including humanity. Should companies that test on animals be avoided? Absolutely. But all dairy products use animals and threaten the ecology -- and they rely on animal science to augment profits. M&M/Mars will not merit the praise of animal activists if and when it stops direct animal testing; it will still be engaged in exploiting many, many beings for the sake of profit.

Educate someone today about why you are making a vegan commitment. Vegan activism keeps it real -- and down to Earth.

Dave Shishkoff
Canadian Correspondent
Friends of Animals
www.FriendsofAnimals.org
www.TheVictoriaVegan.com