Spain Bans New Factory Farms

In May 2022, CEF provided seed funding to help launch Futuro Vegetal, a Spanish collective demanding that the government halt subsidies for the meat industry, instead arguing that those funds should be spent on creating a sustainable, plant-based food system. Their actions, especially when activists glued themselves to two famous Spanish paintings, and when activists blocked a major highway in Spain, dominated Spanish media and led to huge membership growth. As a result of these actions, meat consumption in Spain went from being a “taboo” issue to a top political question facing the government. 

In December 2022, Futuro Vegetal got their first taste of victory when the Spanish government banned the creation of new large-scale cow farms. Although this move falls short of Futuro Vegetals overarching demand, it is still a clear sign of progress. And it speaks to the power that Futuro Vegetal has built in the streets - without their organizing, it is unlikely the Spanish government would have taken any steps to curtail meat consumption in Spain.