Would a better understanding deter meat-eaters?
In his review of Jimmy Doherty's TV programme, The Private Life of Pigs, Jeremy Clay said: "Pigs are brainy as well as tasty. Keep that to yourself though''.Was he suggesting that if consumers know that pigs are intelligent (more intelligent than dogs) it would deter them from eating pork, bacon and ham?
All animals are far more intelligent than was considered in the past. Most animals, certainly those which are eaten, are also sentient creatures. They experience powerful emotions such as love, fear, frustration and boredom as well as physical sensations such as discomfort and pain.
Many advertisements for meat show "happy'' animals in idyllic surroundings with green pastures and rolling hills or in old fashioned farmyards. Two out of every three animals which are eaten are reared in factory farms.
Publicity given by celebrity chefs to the appalling conditions of egg-laying hens in battery cages has resulted in many consumers buying free-range eggs.Perhaps it is time to reveal the conditions endured by other farmed animals.
If people were more aware of the mental abilities of animals, as well as their emotional capabilities there would probably be a fall in meat consumption. Even less would be eaten if people were allowed to view factory farms and abattoirs.
Elizabeth Allison, Aylestone.
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by LeicesterLocal, Leicester!
Thursday, July 29 2010, 1:11PM
“Thanks Karin for extra info - its worse than I thought. I think, if done perfectly, Halal meat would be OK BUT there is too much scope for small errors leading to unnecessary suffering. This puts me off eating out even more than the price does !”
by karin, Oadby
Thursday, July 29 2010, 1:02PM
“Dear Slightly Overweight Tim (fat sounds soooo rude), as far as I know halal and kosher are pretty much the same as neither allows for pre-stunning as this renders the meat 'unclean, damaged, impure' call it what you will. As westerners don't usually query the source of their meat but moslems do, it is easier for outlets to provide all halal sourced meat. Hope this makes some sense.”
by fat tim, Coooooolville
Thursday, July 29 2010, 10:28AM
“I know I really should know this but I don't. In what way is Halal meat any less cruel than, say, Kosher meat? I know Muslims eat Halal and Jews eat Kosher, but that is the full extent of my knowledge.
Also, why is it easier for FF restaurants to use all Halal rather than Kosher? That has to be quite a sizeable chunk of the population who aren't being catered for.”
by Peter, Wigston, Leicestershire
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 11:39PM
“Quote:
"Remember, your choice should not be continually rammed down our throats because others think and believe differently!!"
So now I expect David from Great Easton to keep quiet for a few weeks!”
by karin, Oadby
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 7:42PM
“Leicester Local - you are quite right. Many fast food outlets now use halal meat as it is easier to have all halal than to differentiate. The Subway near the train station and the noodle bar in Leicester Market are but two. I always ask first as I refuse to eat anywhere that serves halal slaughtered meat. Though I am a vegetarian my eating partners often are not.”