In this episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan dives into the latest concerns from the animal agriculture industry—and what’s concerning us about them. From beef producers lobbying for the “Big Beautiful Bill” that would allow them to pass on up to $30 million tax-free to their heirs, to the American Butter Institute’s meltdown over Country Crock’s dairy-free products, the industry’s anxieties are showing. Plus, PETA faces royal backlash after criticizing William and Kate for breeding puppies during an animal homelessness crisis, and we examine the troubling normalization of dairy farming practices through a 4-H club story that reveals how children are taught to love calves without understanding they actually need their mothers.

This episode explores:

• How the “Big Beautiful Bill” would permanently expand estate tax exemptions to $15 million per individual, helping animal agriculture dynasties maintain generational control of land
• The dairy industry’s aggressive pushback against Country Crock’s plant-based “butter” labeling
• PETA’s criticism of the Prince and Princess of Wales for breeding dogs while shelters are full, sparking outrage in British media
• The concerning way children are introduced to animal agriculture through emotional connections to calves in dairy farming
• Why these industry anxieties might signal potential vulnerability in the animal agriculture system

 

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