Tuesday 16 April 2013

Pig of an issue..

I have just read this article and was surprised and saddened by it http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22098224  While the article centres on the US this is not just a US issue.  Many farms across this country and the world are in the same state.  But is it sad to think that governments are more worried about people find out about the conditions on these farms than the farms themselves.  Choosing to criminalise the filming of undercover material. – Bit backwards perhaps?



Why?  The farmers can’t just up and leave the country, setting up shop elsewhere.  Therefore the idea of “if we tell them to change we will lose them forever” is an unlikely one. 

Is it to secure votes?  Some in the UK believe (cynically or not) that this is why the badger cull is now to go ahead.  Keeping the supposed tory voting farmers happy.  Even though the number of cows with Bovine TB will only reduce by 16% over nine years (small return over a long time).  Our government has said this will go ahead. 

Now whilst I am on the badger cull subject – personally I am slightly torn on the matter.  I don’t believe that the cull that will go ahead will make any headway into the BTB issue, better farming practices will do that much more effectively. 

But if (as I suspect is also the case) the numbers are going unchecked due to lack of predators eating them, then something needs to be done.  Otherwise it could turn into a sad scenario of badgers starving or being killed as they desperately search for food in the cities.  All because they grew too many in numbers but their food sources didn’t. 

I for one welcome the chance to have more venison on my plate when the Scottish deer cull happens (similar situation, many deer, dwindling food).  But since we don’t eat badger routinely, or would even think to do so the waste from such a cull is hard to justify. 

Although this article does shows that there are those out there who do eat badger.  Click sett menu for full story.

Anyway back to the matter at hand:  so far reasons for government non-action could be the fear of loss of revenue (although seems unlikely), the loss of votes (more likely) but what else?  Is there any other reason why governments are keener to punish those wish to expose the truth rather than deal with the issue?  Could it be that the insatiable demand, neigh, right for cheap meat and the revenue it pulls in be part of the problem?

*warning high-horse soapbox moment coming up*

It’s a sorry state of affairs when all we want is cheap meat, burgers that cost a £1 (may or may not contain horse meat), chickens £5 or less!  Pork chops two for £4.85.  With those sorts of prices, farmers would lose out on any profit if they let the chickens run free all day, or let the pigs take their OWN time to fatten. 

There are many calls on TV not to allow humans to suffer as they do in many countries, even wild animals/domestic pets (all of which are worthwhile and necessary causes).  But we do not afford the same thought to the animals that sustain us, that give us the food to keep us going.  Is that fair?  Are we all so dissociated with where meat comes from that the thought of a pig in crate, being forced to grow next to scores of other pigs; and a packed of sausages for £3.50  are two very separate things?  Many people won’t eat foie gras because of the force feeding of geese….. ahem!  Difference? 

It would seem that from the fad of not having fat on meat we are now just pumping out these animals for the sake of some “nowhere near as tasty” meals.  For some this next line won’t matter but I will say it anyway.  Is the life of an animal that meaningless?  Do we simply not care that the sole purpose of that animal to give us sustenance, should sit and rot in a cage for a number of months before being carted off to the slaughter house?  Sorry I know I shouldn’t get too preachy, but what would you rather eat?

This?  

Or this?

I know my choice, but you worked that one out too.

I can’t speak for the farming community; but I refuse to believe those who farm for large commercial companies, enjoy seeing animals in that state.  In some cases its family legacies  that started such methods.  However, we shouldn’t fight against these farmers, but show them that we no long want this kind of meat.  We are now more prepared to wait for the food to develop naturally, and pay a little more for it.  But not need quite so much of it.  Quality goes up, price goes up, but that will help the farmer who will have less stock, and a little more care to give. 

So what the answer?  We all turn vegetarian?  No not really.  It won’t solve anything and have a surplus of animals that can’t live in the wild and would cost millions to destroy and dispose of.

The answer is realising that an animal has to lose its life in order to keep your life going.  And the only right here is the right for a good and happy life!  It will be short but it should be good. 

We have been told time and time again about not eating meat every day.  It isn’t good for you, and (quite rightly) should be expensive.  When people’s war cry changes from “I can’t afford to buy that every day” to “my meat SHOULD NOT be cheap!” then farming practices can change. 

Your life won’t end if you don’t eat meat every day, the world will not explode, and horses will not eat each other.  Eating more meat free days doesn’t have to be a chore.  The children will adapt.  Sunday roasts *a very British thing for those reading from other countries* will mean so much more to everyone; not just the rush to the table “thanks” and then off again. 

Imagine cracking breaking like glass, chickens that taste of something, rare beef that juices are not bloodied, just the colour of cooked meat.   The silence as people eat and experience what they are eating because it tastes of something, it tastes… well… good!  You simply cannot get that from animals that have been forced to grow fast in stressed conditions. 

Perhaps I can try another approach – if you are still reading that is:

I still balk slightly at paying £10 for a chicken, although that is less than a round of three pints in a pub.  Not much different to a few glossy magazines, and I won’t even mention smoking (I don’t smoke or buy magazines, but I do like a drink of too!).  Tell you what though, that chicken lasts!  For two people it does the main Sunday meal, with a breast left for a salad, a leg and brown meat for another two meals at least (say chicken risotto and Thai chicken cakes) and the bones go to make a stock.  With some clever padding a family could have at least another meal, if not more.  So that £10 would save you in the long run, and I promise you the flavour and density of the meat just makes you realise that chicken does taste of something, it isn’t just shaped protein.

We do have the power to do change things; it won’t be a quick fix.  It will take all of us to slowly change our ways. 

For some it will the realisation of the value of stock animal lives.  For some more shock tactics works (I stopped by cheap chickens to roast after the Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall programme where he tried to farm chickens in a barn.  It was painful and distressing to watch but it got me!).  Then there will be others that will naturally and quietly migrate over.  Not sure where to start? Speak to your local butcher or meat stall at your local market.  They know all there is to know about good meat and the right cuts.  Form a relationship with them, they may weald big scary knives and cleavers but they are a friendly bunch.  They can help you decide what to have and how to cook it.
If the consumer is king and the consumer is always right, then why not use that power for the good.  Let's not ban undercover footage, let's make sure it is never needed in the first place! 
For the good of the animal, and for the good of our tummies and dinner tables.

Remember “my meat should not be cheap!  My meat should not be cheap!”


<script type="text/javascript">

  var _gaq = _gaq || [];
  _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-40383525-1']);
  _gaq.push(['_setDomainName', 'comparethemeatnveg.blogspot.com']);
  _gaq.push(['_setAllowLinker', true]);
  _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']);

  (function() {
    var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true;
    ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js';
    var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s);
  })();

</script>

No comments:

Post a Comment