E is for eating

For various reasons it has been a while since I was able to make a posting and I feel it is perhaps time I put this right now. We have not long ago passed through a period of sustained eating for many of the population, and I would like to question just what it is that so many people put inside them in the name of food. I don't particularly want to get too far into a healthy living type of rant because, quite apart from the effects of food on us, what about the creatures we eat. Nor do I wish to make a case for vegetarianism as I like a good bit of animal flesh myself from time to time. What I would like to see however, is more people having a responsible attitude to the conditions under which the animals they eat are reared. If anyone is under any illusions about their eggs or poultry having a happy life strutting about the farmyard should take a look at Free Farm Animals from the Cruelty of Confinement - Poultry, or Free Farm Animals from the Cruelty of Confinement - Veal Crates

Is this what we want? 
The site gives a considerable amount of information about animal welfare, mostly in the U.S.A., but which equally applies to most other "civilised" nations, and I believe that whether we eat meat or not, (but particularly if we do), then it is really our responsibility to seek out the facts.

I am sure that most people do not think over much about the source of their food; you only have to look in the trolleys of other shoppers to become aware of this. Cost is often quoted as the main reason for buying food. Quality may come next, if it is considered at all. Ethical production methods probably come nowhere at all in most circumstances. There are alternatives, and it doesn't necessarily have to be organic. Free range, certainly in the UK, would seem the least we should expect. I find now that I have serious difficulty in having to eat anything that has not been treated with some respect. Where it does become difficult however, is trying to establish how animals are slaughtered. Giving them a good life in the field is not much use if they then have to be transported 100's of miles to an abbatoir which does not deal with them sensitively. Probably you would have to look for a fully accredited organic source to feel confident that all aspects of welfare had been taken into account.

Does organic food really taste any better? Well, from my experience, in a lot of cases it does; but not all. I think the case for organic vegetable and fruit comes down purely to consumer preference. After all, unless you are seriously odd, the welfare of the fruit is probably never going to be top of the agenda. Where we can afford it, and where we feel that the produce would otherwise be liberally covered in all sorts of additives, we would choose organic if available. Rarely is the taste any worse than the alternative, and normally I would rate it better. A good place to read is EUROPA - Agriculture - Organic farming

A summary of some of the perceived benefits are:

1 It tastes great

2. It doesn't routinely use artificial pesticides and fertilisers

3. It shows your commitment to animal welfare

4. It isn't more expensive when you consider the hidden costs of cleaning up agrochemicals in our natural water supply.

5. It's good for you

6. It's good for the environment

7. It doesn't use ingredients that are genetically modified

8. It supports farmers and farm workers because it is more labour intensive

9. The choice of organic produce is better than ever before

10. It takes better care of the soil.


The other thing that we should do is to ensure that food is not wasted. If an animal has effectively sacrificed itself for our benefit, than we should at least not waste its efforts. A UK version of Celebrity Big Brother recently had as one of its "games" about a dozen or so pheasants being plucked for our entertainment. This would not have been so bad if the food had been eaten afterwards, but no, the carcasses were just thrown in a heap and allowed to rot. That to me was sick!