In a bold and resolute move, Morrisons, the esteemed British supermarket chain, has declared it’s high time to “make good things happen.” Like a knight on a quest for justice, they have decided to sever ties with Thai coconut producers, casting aside those who have been linked to the appalling practice of forced monkey labor. The noble intervention comes after heart-wrenching investigations led by the intrepid advocates of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which uncovered a dark underbelly within Thailand’s coconut industry.
The revelations are enough to leave you aghast—a world where young, innocent monkeys are cruelly chained and made to scale trees in a relentless quest for coconuts; it’s the stuff of nightmares. Despite PETA’s attempts to shake the conscience of Thai government officials, the response has been a frustrating silence, a void where action should be. But don’t lose hope just yet. Morrisons has taken a giant leap for justice, vowing to source their own-brand coconut milk solely from companies that pass the litmus test of being free from this egregious monkey exploitation.
PETA, ever the vigilant warrior in the fight for animal rights, is urging Morrisons to broaden this ethical beacon to shine over all coconut milk products across their aisles. In a firm, clear voice, they caution consumers to steer clear of Thai coconut milk entirely, pointing to the grim reality of widespread abuse lurking within the industry’s shadows. Alas, will the message reverberate through the echelons of power?
Dawn Carr, PETA’s Vice President of Vegan Corporate Projects, hailed Morrisons’ newfound path to righteousness as a commendable choice to shun cruelly obtained coconut milk. She passionately implored the Thai government to dismantle the notorious monkey training “schools.” She called for a ban on forced monkey labor, which surely belongs in the annals of macabre history, and not in modern-day Thailand. As the good folks at ITV News report, the clamor for change grows louder by the minute.
Back in the not-so-merry month of May 2024, PETA peeled the curtain back on the grim tableau at these training facilities. Endangered pig-tailed macaques endured relentless misery, tethered by ropes, confined to cages no bigger than prison cells. Their skin, rubbed raw by the harsh bonds of captivity, screamed a sorrowful tale of neglect and pain. Bereft of comfort, devoid of socialization, these intelligent creatures spiraled into a storm of neurotic behavior and self-inflicted despair.
Over six long years, this crusade for compassion witnessed PETA Asia implicate a veritable who’s who of coconut pickers, brokers, and farms from across nine Thai provinces, all tangled in this web of distress. The echoes of their investigations didn’t fall on deaf ears. Like a ripple across the world’s grocers, nearly 40,000 stores, including the likes of Sainsbury’s and Tesco, have slammed the door on brands tainted by monkey labor. Aldi, Asda, and Co-op have likewise stayed the course, ensuring their own-brand coconut milk emerges untainted from Thailand’s shadows.
As Morrisons watches the gears of its supply chain reconfigure, aligning itself with the ethos of cruelty-free commerce, ITV News remains on the watchful lookout for comments from the supermarket. The spotlight remains as they pledge to offer products that customers can feel good about purchasing—a deliberation on ethics, a promise of kindness, a commitment to making good things happen.
Fantastic! Morrisons is finally taking a stand against animal cruelty. It’s about time supermarkets did more than just pay lip service to being ethical.
I agree! But what about the workers in these regions who depend on this industry for their livelihood?
Valid point, but should employment come at the expense of exploiting animals? We need to find a balance.
Yeah, I mean, we can’t just turn a blind eye to people losing jobs.
What’s next then? Ban all coconut products from Thailand? That’s unrealistic.
PETA is doing great work, but sometimes they go a bit overboard. I want real change, not just headlines.
Change often starts with headlines. PETA brings attention to issues no one else notices.
Boycotting Thai coconut milk seems extreme. This will mess up a lot of supply chains.
Maybe that’s the point—to force these companies to change by hitting their bottom line.
I doubt it’ll be as smooth as you all think. The alternatives might be more expensive or unsustainable.
I’d say it’s a step in the right direction. I never knew monkeys were mistreated this way.
Bravo to Morrisons! When will other big chains follow their moral lead? This needs to be widespread.
Hopefully, soon. It’s inevitable since consumers are becoming more aware and demanding ethical practices.
There are still plenty of people who don’t care. As long as prices stay low, they won’t stop buying.
I just want affordable coconut milk without the guilt. Is that too much to ask?
It shouldn’t be. We need to support companies that do things the right way, not just the cheap way.
I support animal rights, but what about human rights? Are we just ignoring those?
I think education and alternatives for these workers are important. They need a sustainable solution, not just job loss.
Absolutely, supporting humane industry transitions should be a priority.
This smells like a PR stunt. Companies only care about their image, not real change.
While this is good news, I think there needs to be more focus on preventing these practices from continuing elsewhere.
I agree, but seems like a monumental task to control globally. Where do we begin?
Amazing how something as common as coconut milk has this hidden cruelty behind it.
It’s not just coconut milk though. Many industries have hidden unethical practices.
It’s great to see consumer pressure influencing big business. A win for animals!
I wonder if Thailand will respond to this pressure or just ignore it. So much is at stake.
I hope they do. Global pressure might force their hand.
Sadly, it might take a long time. Governments often move slowly.
Right step for Morrisons, but the Thai government needs a wake-up call to stop exploiting both people and monkeys.