A leading home paint brand is ‘normalising animal abuse’ with some of the names of its colours, animal rights organisation PETA has claimed.

The group has hit out at the brand for offering colours including ‘Potted Shrimp’ and ‘Dead Salmon’.

Speaking to Lunchtime Live, PETA spokesperson Margarita Sachkova said the company should be using language that “kinder and more respectful” towards living creatures. 

“Actually, who would want to be in a living room painted with that ‘Dead Salmon’ when we can use ‘Magic Mushroom’ instead?” she said. 

“Did you know that salmon are actually very sensitive animals? It’s scientifically proven that they feel pain [and] they feel fear when they are taken out of their watery home? 

“So, renaming the colours that normalise animal abuse is a way to remind people that animals are not food - they are individuals and they deserve to be treated with respect.” 

Two fishermen on boat fishing for wild salmon. Picture by: Alamy.com

Ms Sachkova said “words have power” and language constantly evolves to reflect changes in society.

Instead, she suggested Farrow & Ball use their imagination to come up with other “fantastic” names for colours. 

“If certain [expressions] promote cruelty, why should we be using it?” she said. 

“Think about some words and phrases that were considered to be normal a few decades ago and now most people wouldn’t even dream of saying those things because we know how hurtful they are, how harmful they are. 

“It’s the same about animals.” 

'Looney stories to grab headlines'

Lunchtime Live listener Tony strongly disagreed and said the names are “absolutely descriptive”. 

He also controversially described the meat industry in Ireland as "respectable".

“Let’s cut to the chase here, 90% of people in the world are not vegan - they’re meat eaters,” he said. 

“Animal production is ethical and respectable - particularly in Ireland - that’s the reality.

“But these pressure groups need the oxygen of publicity and come up with these looney stories to grab headlines.” 

Tony said Ireland is a “free country” and people should be allowed to use names such as ‘Potted Shrimp’ and ‘Dead Salmon’. 

“I respect Margarita’s position but I would ask her to respect the position of the 90% majority and how people market their products,” he said. 

“I don’t know Farrow & Ball but I’m not going to tell them what names they should call their paint and I won’t tell a vegan what name to call their oatmeal - even though it’s not very nutritious compared to cows’ milk.”

A 2021 survey by Bord Bia found 8% of Irish people are vegetarian and a further 2% are vegan.

Main image: A bucket of paint. Picture by: Alamy.com