“Once You See Them as Individuals, You Can’t Continue” – Farmer Speaks Out on the Killing of Lambs for Easter.

An ex-sheep farmer who once raised animals for slaughter is urging the public to rethink eating lamb this Easter as new data reveals the shocking scale of demand-driven killings.

Devon-based former farmer Sivalingam “Kumar” Vasanthakumar gave up sheep farming, rescued his entire flock, and transitioned to a plant-based lifestyle. His story is now featured in a new film, A Change of Heart: From Sheep Farmer to Vegan, released by Animal Justice Project over the Easter weekend.

“I saw them as individuals,” Kumar says in the film. “Once you see that, you can’t continue as before.”

Kumar now grows vegetables on his land and runs a vegan street food business, Kumar’s Dosa Bar, using largely home-grown produce.

New analysis of 2025 slaughter figures from the Food Standards Agency shows that 11.5 million lambs were killed last year, including 893,336 in April alone, coinciding with Easter. That’s almost 8% of annual slaughter or 1 in 13 lambs killed for the bank holiday weekend.

While lower than peak periods later in the year, Easter remains a symbolic time where tradition drives demand. In June, 1,106,894 lambs were slaughtered as early-season lambs reached market weight, with even higher peaks later in the year from retail demand.

Claire Palmer, Founder of Animal Justice Project, said: “Easter is often seen as a time of renewal and compassion, yet it’s still associated with eating lambs animals who are only a few months old when they’re killed.

The data shows that whenever demand rises, more animals are slaughtered. Easter may not be the biggest spike, but it’s one of the most symbolic because it’s driven by tradition, even though people have a clear choice not to eat animals.”

To coincide with Easter, Animal Justice Project will hold a public demonstration in Leicester Square, London, this Saturday from 12pm to 3pm.

The display will feature a performer portraying a lamb lying on a table in a white costume with lamb ears and realistic prosthetic wounds, including a slit throat and severe leg injury. A figure dressed as a butcher will appear to cut into the body, while a pile of severed leg props represents the scale of animals killed.

Volunteers will hold life-size lamb props and distribute leaflets urging passers-by to “Skip the Lamb.”

“We want people to stop and think,” Palmer added. “Behind every Easter meal is an animal who wanted to live.”

Animal Justice Project is urging the public to choose plant-based alternatives this Easter and reconsider the long-standing link between lamb and the holiday.

“Traditions can change,” Palmer said. “And when they involve the lives of young animals, they should.”

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