Vegetarians and animal welfare campaigners aren't too keen on McDonald's - for obvious reasons. As the world's largest user of beef they are responsible for the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of cows per year. In Europe alone they use half a million chickens every week, all from windowless factory farms. All such animals suffer great cruelty during their unnatural, painful and short lives, many being kept inside with no access to fresh air and sunshine, and no freedom of movement - how can such cruelty be measured?

Is it acceptable for the food industry to exploit animals at all? McDonald's argue that they stick to the letter of the law and if there are any problems it is a matter for government. They also claim to be concerned with animal welfare.

Defendants' case
Opening speech in the McLibel Trial
Defence on animals.
Analysis of evidence heard in court

McLibel judgement
The verdict on animals
Defendants' analysis of the verdict

NB. See the McLibel pages for more on the trial, or the
daily transcripts for the evidence heard in court.

 
McLibel witnesses
Complete list of witnesses
DF - Clare Druce, researcher - POULTRY CONDITIONS
DF - James Erlichman, journalist - INACCURATE McFACTS
DF - Alan Long, researcher - PIGS & CATTLE CONDITIONS
DF - Howard Lyman, ex-cattle rancher - CATTLE CONDITIONS
DF - Andrew Tyler, journalist & campaigner - PIG CONDITIONS
DF - Louise Wallis, campaigner - TRANSPORT OF POULTRY
DF - Vikki Watkins, film-maker - BROILER HOUSE CONDITIONS
PL - T. Chambers, Midland Meat Packers - QUALITY ASSURANCE
PL - F. Gonzalez, McD's Quality Assurance Dept - MEAT PRODUCTS
PL - N. Gregory, University of Bristol - ANIMAL CONDITIONS
PL - Mark Pattison, Sun Valley - POULTRY PRODUCTION
PL - Louis Walker, Chair & CEO of McKey Foods - BEEF & PORK

PL=Plaintiffs' (McDonald's), DF=Defence (Morris & Steel)

Books and Reports
Chicken and Egg - Who Pays The Price? - Clare Druce
FAWN Report in English
FAWN Report in French
McLibel by David J. Wolfson in Animal Law Journal

essays
More Than A Matter Of Two Flies by Dr Vandana Shiva
The New Livestock Policy by Dr Vandana Shiva
Kentucky Fried Protests In India - KFC store is ransacked.

press articles
Index of press cuttings
Bus Driver Suspended For Refusing To Give Out Burger Vouchers Los Angeles Times; 6th June 96, USA
Animal Rights Protest At McDonald's Irish Times, 17 Oct 95

debate
Try the McDonald's section of the McSpotlight Debating Room.

interviews
C. Druce, Farm Animal Welfare Network
H. Lyman, former top US cattle rancher
Helen Steel, defendant in McLibel case
Sue Branford, Brazil specialist
Vandana Shiva, Indian ecologist