I was surprised to find an animal right’s activist piece on ABC Open, called ‘Art from the cattleman’s daughter’
Author Jo Frederiks asks: ‘Animal equality: why are some more equal than others’?
Excellent question! Which leads on to:
– Why do animal rights activists fail to support measures to exterminate feral species (cats & foxes being the two most serious), that prey upon and compete with native species, to the point of potential extinction?
– Why do animal rights activists believe that ‘cute & fluffy’ animals such as domestic livestock & pets are worth worrying about, but not the myriad of animals of all sizes displaced and harmed by crops, which by necessity are monocultures of imported species, devoid of native animals and the plants they depend on?
– Why do so many animal rights organisations spends millions on campaign staff salaries and expensive marketing campaigns, but little or nothing on practical measures to assist animals – particularly native animals?
– Why do vegans promote the use of polluting petrochemical products in preference to sustainable and environmentally friendly fibres such as wool – which a sheep creates from from sun, water and grass, grows back annually, and which makes great compost when retired?
The ABC Open story is full of melodrama designed to evoke an instant, emotive response rather than prompt readers to question the veracity of what’s being said. The image of cruelty painted is very removed from reality. The vast majority of people who work in sheep & cattle industries do so because they love animals and love the environment. As in all walks of life, there are a tiny number who do the wrong thing but sooner or later they’re reported or go broke. The most cruelty I’ve seen is in towns and cities, amongst pet owners, including horse owners on the outskirts – not amongst people who work with animals fulltime, for a living. Apart from the inhumanity of what is described in the story, from a business angle, cruelty does not make sense. Well cared for animals produce better quality meat. Roo shooters who are poor shots, aren’t able to make ends meet.
* The existence of every single human being has an impact on the world because ALL food production affects animals; whether it’s meat or plants. Anyone who claims it’s as simple as above is simply choosing to live with blinkers on. Unless of course they grow 100% of their own food, and never squash slugs, snails, mice and cockroaches, etcetera?
* The vast majority of Australian livestock run where it’s not possible to grow crops (usually because of the terrain or low/unreliable rainfall). Most livestock run on native grasses, in harmony with native animal and bird species.
* Omnivores who include meat that has been humanely & sustainably produced have less of an impact on the complete range of animal species, and have far less of a negative impact on the planet, than vegans.
Tags: Veganism & Vegetarianism