Firstly, I'm sorry for writing in English. I can speak and read Dutch and have followed this thread with fire in my heart. Unfortunately, it takes forever to compile something half-intelligent, so you are going to have to stomach (for want of a better word) my reply this way.
It is evident out of many studies that our world needs to control its meat consumption. Many reasons exist and have already been discussed, so I'm not going to go into arguments about whether they are correct or not.
But in general, we have fairly obvious and logical issues to consider. 1.
Land Space: (animals not only require their own area, but the crops required to feed them take up potential food space as well). 2.
Water: with the amount of rain I experienced in Holland in the eight years I lived there, I can understand that people don't think much about this point, but coming from Australia, where you have to buy your water in by the truck load, it creates it an entirely different perception. But ,on the animal front: not only the crops serving as feed for animals but the animals themselves require water: and lots of it. 3.
Disease: this is inevitable when you group any species (human or animal) together in small confined spaces.
These are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to discussing mass production with animals and their by-products
Now, of course, I am discussing this from an educative (if you will allow me this title) westerners perspective and of course such a large percentage of the world is not in the same boat. They are only concerned with
"money in hand" and
"food in mouth". But it is not to say, that we in the western world should loose faith or adopt the
"what difference would my contribution make" attitude of some on this thread. EVERY CONTRIBUTION counts, just as every revolution of the pedal going up that 10% climb counts. No matter how slow you push, eventually you get to the top of the mountain and
"oh what a view". For touring cyclists, I would expect so much more attitude!
In the Netherlands, I was a vegan. Travelling around the world, I have declined to vegetarian status, if I can't practise veganism without jeopardizing my cycling strength. It doesn't mean to say, that I expect the whole world to do as I do. Of course not, we all make our own choice. But that choice should be made from knowledge and not from habit: especially in the educated western world, where information and access to bio-eco products is readily available.
In other words, if you must eat meat, then eat the pig that had a life running round the field before he was killed in the most humane way an animal could be slaughtered. Organic farmers will become more popular and governments will start adopting different attitudes to subsidising our farming methods. This AWARENESS is essential, if we would like our world to continue on in a healthy and balanced manner with respect to food consumption.
And on an entirely different note: if you happen to be travelling around the globe somewhere, and would like to try out the vegetarian/vegan fare in a country then visit
http://www.happycow.net for full listings of suitable restaurants, buffet houses and health food shops around the world.......
And in the not too distant future, our own website:
http://www.travellingvegetarian.com, which will be one of the best resources for the non-meat eating population of our planet to familiarise themselves with the culture of food in each country of the world.
Enjoy your dinner everyone
Son from sonali
Zou India dan nog bestaan?
