Vegetarian Star

Brigitte Bardot is the latest celebrity to get in on the debate between pigs and swine flu.

The actress turned animal rights activist has publicly denounced the Egyptian government’s plans to cull 250,000 pigs to help combat the swine flu epidemic, which some have linked to factory farming of the animals.

In a letter to Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak, Bardot wrote:

“Taking advantage of the global hysteria over the propagation of ‘Mexican’ flu, which has nothing to do with animals, in order to launch a campaign to exterminate pigs raised by a destitute section of the population is extremely cowardly.”

via contactmusic.com

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Brigitte Bardot has held a long career as an actress and former fashion model in addition to being a champion of animal rights.

She recently wrote a letter to Mr. Hubert Heiss, Ambassador of Austria in France, in response to the imprisonment of Austrian animal rights activist. Here are a few excerpts:

“You are aware of the great emotion, even indignation, of European citizens after the arbitrary arrest on May 21, when 10 Austrian animal advocates were imprisoned in an opacity worthy of a totalitarian regime.”

“Austrian organizations were scandalized by the violence of the police intervention and the seizure, in private apartments and offices, of many work files and computers.”

“These methods, unworthy of a democratic country, made Amnesty International react, and today I make a point of adding my voice to the many protests.”

“It is true that for a few months already animals advocates have been presented like dangerous terrorists, even criminals. This manipulation of public opinion is shocking, outrageous and more than misplaced.”

“Yes, our actions do disturb some economic interests, but is that a reason to soil and muzzle those who are committed to help beings without defense?”

“Violence is not our reality, on the contrary, we fight it with determination. Violence is in the blind, cruel and daily exploitation of millions of animals degraded to consumer goods, to research tools, and being denied their sensitive nature.”

Read the rest of Bardot’s letter here.

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