Argentine vegans raises awareness of animal treatment

A vegan group in Buenos Aires' central park on Saturday were raising awareness about animal abuse.The group showed people in Palermo Lakes Park different aspects of animal farming on television screens.The Abolitionist and Anti-Specist Union of Argentina gathers Argentine vegans from different groups that struggle to spread their message on the ethically treatment of animals, in a country known around the world for its meat consumption and gaucho culture.

Vegans have been vocal in recent days because of the Argentine government's plans for an agreement with China to build massive pig farms for the Chinese market.Argentina said in July that it was in talks with China to provide 900,000 tons of pork in four years.

Vegans claim mass breeding on such a scale could cause environmental and health problems.According to Argentina's Chamber of Commerce for Beef, Argentines are consuming on average 50 kilograms (110 pounds) of beef a year in what it called the lowest level in the history of the country, where cattle brought by the Spanish centuries ago thrived on vast prairies knows as pampas.

(Image Credit: AP)