ABSTRACT
In this chapter, it is argued that public relations and lobbying strategies for the benefit of the animal-based food industry are morally wrong. In the first section, the authors describe some basic facts about the harms that nonhuman animals suffer in the industry. In the next section, they argue that sentient nonhuman animals are morally considerable individuals whose interests we must take into account. Since the food industry unjustifiably thwarts those interests, we have compelling reasons not to support it including reasons against engaging in public relations and lobbying strategies on its behalf. In the section “The wrongness of degrading the public sphere”, the authors claim that those strategies can also have a negative impact upon the public sphere, both on the quality of public discussion and on political freedom and equality.
