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EuroNews via Screengrab

Some people in Italy are very upset about Silvio Berlusconi hugging and kissing this lamb

A scrolling text on the ad informs viewers that Berlusconi had adopted five lambs.

FORMER ITALIAN PRIME Minister has risked the wrath of Italy’s meat industry by calling for Italians to have a “vegetarian Easter”.

The 80-year-old was pictured and videoed cuddling lambs on his estate in front of an Italian League in Defence of Animals and the Environment sign that read: “Defend life, choose a vegetarian Easter”.

A scrolling text on the ad informs viewers that Berlusconi had adopted five lambs.

Lamb is a traditional Easter food in Italy but years of vegetarian campaigns have impacted consumption. The adding of Berlusconi to those campaigns has incensed meat producers.

Assocarni, the Italian butchers’ lobby group, called for suppliers to boycott the media tycoon’s television channels and magazines.  They accused him in a statement of only being interested in gaining votes.

“It’s incredible that even though he is a business person he is contributing to damaging the meat industry to try to get the votes of animal lovers.”

euronews (in English) / YouTube

Last week a court ruled that Berlusconi will go on trial in July accused of witness tampering and pay-offs over his alleged “bunga bunga” sex parties.

The ex-premier is accused of paying more than €10 million between 2011 and 2015, in cash, gifts, cars and housing to guests at his Arcore residence near Milan, to testify in his favour in the so-called “Ruby” affair.

The charges stem from Berlusconi’s previous trial for allegedly paying for sex with young women, the best-known being an exotic dancer nicknamed Ruby the Heart Stealer, who was under 18 at the time.

Berlusconi was initially convicted and sentenced to seven years in jail for soliciting minors for prostitution and abusing his power.

But he was cleared in 2015 following an appeal.

Read: Column: ‘I can look an animal in the eye, knowing I’m not contributing to their suffering’

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26 Comments
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    Mute Les Behan
    Favourite Les Behan
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    Apr 11th 2017, 10:29 AM

    As long as he’s not riding it, it’s grand!

    222
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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    Apr 11th 2017, 11:16 AM

    @Les Behan: says who!

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    Mute Nick Allen
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    Apr 11th 2017, 11:59 AM

    @Les Behan:

    He is grooming the lamb, he prefers to get stuck into some mutton

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    Mute Les Behan
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    Apr 11th 2017, 12:58 PM

    @Deborah Behan: Says me!

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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Apr 12th 2017, 11:16 PM

    @Les Behan: Bunga bunga party?

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    Mute Joe Conlon
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    Apr 11th 2017, 10:09 AM

    That was a baaad mooove

    88
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    Mute Larry Doyle
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    Apr 11th 2017, 10:17 AM

    says ewe.

    105
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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Apr 12th 2017, 11:16 PM

    @Joe Conlon: Next tongues?

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    Mute patient pNibbler
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    Apr 11th 2017, 10:20 AM

    any chance of a silence of the berlusconis?

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    Mute Kevin Slater
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    Apr 11th 2017, 10:26 AM

    Mint

    24
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    Mute John O'Driscoll
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    Apr 11th 2017, 10:57 AM

    Nowadays it’s Ruby the SheepStealer.

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    Mute John O'Driscoll
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    Apr 11th 2017, 10:53 AM

    It’s called foreplay.

    11
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    Mute paddy
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    Apr 11th 2017, 10:48 AM

    Reminds me of home, where men are men and sheep are bloody nervous!!

    21
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    Mute John O'Driscoll
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    Apr 11th 2017, 10:56 AM

    Clearly feels he’s got a good lookin one there.

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    Mute John Campbell
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    Apr 11th 2017, 10:38 AM

    The only innocent thing near Berlusconi is a lamb and he gives it the kiss of death!!!!

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    Mute Jackson
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    Apr 12th 2017, 7:23 AM

    I don’t care what he’s done in the past, or about the meat industry!
    I wish more famous people would take this stance and promote the love of animals

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    Mute Tomas
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    Apr 11th 2017, 10:38 AM

    Thought he was into Algerian pussies

    11
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    Mute paddy
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    Apr 11th 2017, 10:49 AM

    @Tomas: s

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    Mute paddy
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    Apr 11th 2017, 10:50 AM

    @Tomas: she was underage and being prostituted

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    Mute Tomas
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    Apr 11th 2017, 11:00 AM

    @paddy: ahh the poor little lamb

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    Mute paddy
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    Apr 11th 2017, 11:15 AM

    @Tomas: lovely man Tomas

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    Mute Tomas
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    Apr 11th 2017, 5:30 PM

    @paddy: y thank u

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    Mute Lazlo Saint Pierre
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    Apr 11th 2017, 11:08 PM

    Is that gob5h1te still on the television, is he never off the air?

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    Mute Maid Marian
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    Apr 11th 2017, 3:41 PM

    Poor lamb looks terrified.

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    Mute Darren
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    Apr 11th 2017, 3:08 PM

    If you were not meant to eat animals why do they taste of meat?? I could never fathom that one out

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    Mute Ross Stewart
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    Apr 11th 2017, 3:24 PM

    Can you fathom that your meat also tastes of meat?

    11
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