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McDonald's and Animal Rights

McDonald’s is the world’s largest user of beef, and of all companies, probably has the most colorful animal rights history. From the longest trial in British history, to the non-vegetarian french fry scandal, to their support of factory farming practices, McDonald’s seems unable to keep themselves out of the campaigns of animal activists.

The McLibel Trial

In 1990, McDonald’s sued five British activists for libel, in what would turn out to be the longest trial in British history and a public relations disaster. McDonald’s sued the activists over a pamphlet titled “What’s Wrong with McDonald’s -- Everything They Don’t Want You to Know,” that they had allegedly published and distributed. The pamphlet contained numerous accusations about McDonald’s environmental destruction, animal cruelty, employee exploitation, and unhealthy food.

At the beginning of the “McLibel” trial, three of the activists backed down and apologized to McDonald’s. However, two activists refused to apologize, and stood their ground. Helen Steel and Dave Morris, a gardener and a postman, represented themselves in court with minimal professional legal advice. Their costs were covered by public donations.

After many pre-trial motions and hearings, the trial began officially in 1994. Expert witnesses on health, the environment, and animal agriculture testified on the accusations contained in the pamphlet. Throughout the trial, the defendants provided quotes from the transcripts to the media, and the world watched as the large, multi-national corporation’s team of attorneys bullied the two activists in court. Negative quotes on nutrition, working conditions, and environmental destruction came from McDonald’s own witnesses and documents, which provided ample fodder for the media frenzy.

Arguments continued through 1996, and in 1997, the judge rendered his decision. He ruled that the defendants had not proven the truth of their accusations relating to...