It has been suggested that animals were put on Earth for
humans to use. This is seen by many as a reason for not worrying about
the maltreatment of animals. Throughout the world animals are normally
and routinely suffering whether they are being used for food, sport,
research or even as pets. The humane vegetarian argument is that we
should treat all life on Earth with respect. Whilst many are vegetarian
for religious, economic or health reasons the moral arguments appeal
increasingly as new ways of using animals are leading to more and more
cruelty. In the West moral arguments increasingly appeal to people. A
major United Kingdom survey has shown that well over ninety percent of
responding vegetarians have adopted such a diet for moral reasons. It
should be remembered that the Vegetarian Society of the United Kingdom
was the first vegetarian society and in 1997 celebrates its 150th
anniversary, having been formed in 1847. Throughout its history many
have seen moral arguments as the most important reason for becoming
vegetarian with health reasons a long way behind. For other countries
the picture is less clear but vegetarianism is growing in Western
countries. In other parts of the world, where many cannot afford the
luxury of expensive meat and related products, meat consumption is seen
as Western, a sign of affluence and something to be aimed at. Young
people in particular see copying Western behavior as desirable. This is
ironic since in the West young people increasingly question the values
and practices of their societies.
The moral argument for vegetarianism owes something to
religious beliefs but stands on its own as a reason for being
vegetarian. People see intensive farming of animals, genetic engineering
being applied to animals and the treatment animals receive from birth to
death, and beyond, as lacking any morality. In addition, the evidence
being produced by medical research and investigations into the health of
vegetarians, compared to those who consume meat, shows that a vegetarian
diet is better for health and that animal eating is associated with much
higher rates of diseases common in modern society. Vegetarians are much
less likely to suffer cancer, heart disease, kidney or liver problems,
or diabetes, than those who consume meat. Recent scares about Bovine
Spongiform Encephalopathy (Mad Cow Disease) in cattle are being linked
to Kreutzfeld Jakob Disease in humans. The scandal of salmonella in eggs
and the use of antibiotics, growth enhancers and hormones in animals are
a further concern for those who continue to eat animals. These additives
not only concentrate in animal flesh and organs but also find their way
into water courses and rivers so being ingested by humans whose water
supply is taken from the very same rivers. It is a sorry story that
human health is being jeopardized because of the ways in which animals
are treated.
Vegetarianism in the United Kingdom is now strong and
playing an important part in decisions by food producers and retailers.
The demand for special vegetarian foods by both vegetarians and those
concerned about the safety of animal foods is leading to rapid growth in
the provision of vegetarian foods. All major food retailers make special
efforts to ensure a good range of vegetarian products in their displays.
Such fast food restaurant chains as McDonalds and Burger King provide
vegetarian options. Burger King made an agreement to use the symbol of
The Vegetarian Society on suitable burgers and have had very large
posters in their windows advertising the vegetarian burgers and stating
that they are approved by The Vegetarian Society. Near to my home,
Manchester City Council issues a guide to restaurants in the city and
only four of those listed do not indicate that they offer vegetarian
dishes. Wherever one goes in Britain it is now easy to obtain vegetarian
meals. It is estimated that there are now 4 million people adopting a
vegetarian diet and that the growth in numbers is particularly strong
among young women. Meat eaters often decide to have vegetarian meals
since they realize that a vegetarian diet is better for health and this
message is increasingly publicized by radio, television and the
newspapers.
Whilst some food producers and retailers have designed
their own symbol to indicate vegetarian products, many use the symbol of
The Vegetarian Society and pay the society a license fee to be allowed
to do so. The society checks all ingredients to ensure they are
acceptable to vegetarians and the product can then use the registered
symbol and state "Approved by the Vegetarian Society." The symbol is
increasingly being marketed in other countries.
Continental Europe is moving towards a vegetarian diet
but somewhat more slowly. The Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland
and Italy have made good progress along the vegetarian path. However,
other countries are moving somewhat more slowly. At least it is now
normal to have vegetarian organizations promoting the way of life. On
the continent it is much more common for people to adopt a vegetarian
diet for health reasons with moral ones somewhat less important. Recent
years have seen the growth of vegetarian societies in former communist
countries. In most, such societies were not allowed under the former
political system. Their vegetarian societies are attracting growing
interest as people learn more about the moral and health problems of
meat consumption.
North America is also showing a marked growth of
vegetarianism with vegetarian societies throughout and vegetarian meals
being readily available in most parts. It is common to find vegetarian
restaurants and shops selling suitable foods. One simple omission is the
terrible cotton wool bread which is so common! One has to really search
for good wholemeal bread.
Latin America is another region with marked contrasts
from country to country. The interest is more on health than moral and
many people are demi vegetarian since they still eat fish. Restaurants
catering for vegetarians are not uncommon but the interest in providing
for vegetarians is still very limited. Such vegetarian societies as
exist are local and play a small part in the worldwide vegetarian
movement.
Africa is stirring in terms of vegetarianism. For a long
time there were only such societies in South Africa and Nigeria.
However, recent years have seen the formation of vegetarian societies in
Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Indeed, a celebratory
dinner held by the vegetarian society in Botswana was attended by the
country's president at the time, himself a vegetarian.
Asia has a long history of vegetarianism but this is
being undermined by commercial interests and the failure of governments
to respect their national traditions. In many cases they are encouraging
the consumption of meats such as chicken. The Indian Government has
encountered much opposition from the many vegetarian groups to its
policy of encouraging the use of eggs and consumption of chickens. It is
estimated that well over a quarter of the Indian population is
vegetarian. In Thailand vegetarianism exists with a number of vegetarian
societies. Vegetarian restaurants are quite common in the cities.
However, many Buddhist monks, operating on the principle that they eat
whatever food is given to them, will eat meat when provided. The country
does have an annual festival in October when people are encouraged to be
vegetarian for a week! In China people might be vegetarian for religious
reasons but economic reasons are also important. People are poor and
often unable to afford meat. Japan does not have a history of respect
for animals so there is a very limited vegetarian tradition. There is a
vegetarian society which is beginning to flourish. In other countries
vegetarianism is either taken for granted as in Malaysia and Shri Lanka
or largely ignored as in many of the Moslem states.
Australia in some ways mirrors the developments in North
America and Europe. Whilst the interest is growing markedly, the
vegetarian societies are generally small but making progress. Vegetarian
meal provision is very patchy but quite normal in large cities. Concern
for the cruelties done to animals is a growing influence encouraging
people to think about their use of animals. The annual cull of kangaroos
in Australia is done in a very cruel manner and attracting increasing
opposition.
The world-wide vegetarian movement is coordinated by the
International Vegetarian Union (IVU) which was formed in 1908 and aims
to promote vegetarianism world-wide and encourage the formation of
vegetarian societies where none exist. It has a number of regional
organizations. Both world and regional vegetarian congresses are
organized to promote the cause and to bring vegetarians together from
all parts of the world to work to promote vegetarianism. IVU has a
considerable amount of material on its web pages about the organization
and the promotion of vegetarianism. People can become individual members
and participate in the various discussion groups etc.
The arguments for a vegetarian approach are an
attractive message since the evidence, whether moral, health,
environmental or economic, is very strong. Recent years have seen a
massive improvement in the availability of information about
vegetarianism. This is due to the availability of such information on
the world wide web. Internet access is becoming much more common and
enables immediate and cheap communication and access to information in
any part of the world. Vegetarianism is readily available on the
"Vegetarian Pages" and this is accessed by increasing numbers of people.
It is an exciting time to be vegetarian or animal
activist. The global accessibility means that events in any part of the
world become common knowledge and the ways in which we treat animals may
be shown daily on television everywhere. It is a gradual process to
educate the population of the world. Whilst so many people are still
lacking sufficient food and unspeakable cruelties are done to humans,
some might argue that concern about animals is a luxury. Others of us
see the relationship between the way in which we treat each other and
the way in which we treat animals. The two are interrelated. If we
respect the right of every individual to live safely with sufficient
food and shelter, then the world will become a better place. Then to
ignore the responsibility for the animal kingdom will be even less
tenable than it is today. The fact that animals do not speak in a
language we readily understand, that they are of differing levels of
intelligence and are different physically should not be seen as a reason
for treating them badly and without respect or concern. If we continue
to do so, we might equally decide that it is logical, and even proper,
to treat badly other humans who differ in language, intelligence or
physical appearance. The world is trying to move away from racism,
sexism, etc. Surely it is also logical to move away from speciesism?
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