Lately, there has been much discussion regarding the effect of agriculture on the environment. It has been a subject of debate among experts for year, but is now becoming a matter of solid policy. There is one radical proposition out there that stands out among the rest: the call to cut meat out of our diets, entirely.
Those who work in the industry are very much against this. Their stake in the debate is quite high, since the meat industry is their very livelihood.
An Important Distinction
It is important to note one crucial distinction before going into the details of this debate: that being the reasons for cutting meat from your diet. There are those who wish to do so for environmental reasons, as well as those with moral quandaries against consuming animals.
A Large Industry
The meat industry is massive, interconnected with many other aspects of the global market. Cutting down on meat consumption could jeopardize the industry and the livelihoods of those working within it. It could also pose a threat to public finances, as these businesses are generally major tax payers.
It is also helpful to note that businesses working with the meat industry are involved in the process, and will likely be hit as collateral damage. Most noticeably are the farmers, as most of their farm production goes towards feeding cattle.
A Range of Options
There are more diverse options than simply producing or not producing meat. For instance, there are ways to change how animals are treated, making the process more humane. Likewise, the effect on the environment could be mitigated without actually cutting out meat entire. One way is to ensure that the farmers you buy from use proper grazing practices that take into account how the soil will be affected.
Industrial Animal Farming
It is also important to make distinctions between industrial and natural farming, particularly when it comes to grazing. Industrial farms are like machines made for feeding animals, and their conditions aren’t part of the equation when it comes to how meat is produced. Many farmers move away from this method of feeding animals, towards one that is more natural. also important to set up dictions between industrial and natural farming and grazing of animals. Industrial farms are basically machines made for feeding the animals and their conditions aren’t part of the equation when meat is produced. Many farmers move away from this way for feeding animals towards one that’s more natural.
This approach is likely to change the industry, as well as our day-to-day lives. It may make meat more expensive to produce, and therefore more costly to purchase.
Meat Replacements
Replacing meat with plant-based substitutes is often discussed, but it’s not clear what will happen if this is done on a massive scale. An environmental impact seems inevitable, but is not often factored into such plans. Simply put, it will require more plants to be produced, which can affect the soil and heighten the use of chemicals. This is especially so because the focus will likely shift more towards monocultures. Monocultures are the worst way to farm from a green perspective.
Role of the Government
In the end, there is the matter the government’s role in the process. Some believe moving away from meat should be a matter of personal choice and cultural climate. Others believe the government should be involved in making the change, providing incentives if possible. This is a whole new level of debate, cutting across other divisions on the matter. Governments aren’t always efficient, and often affect the markets negatively. This means some will be against their involvement, regardless of their stance on meat-related issues.
Conclusion
There are those who believe removing all meat from our diets is the best way to counter issues of meat production. However, many disagree. Whatever changes are brought, they should be enacted in moderation.