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> I find myself unable to justify the cruelty of meat production. Would you eat meat from an outfit that convinced you it was raised without cruelty, right up

> I find myself unable to justify the cruelty of meat production. Would you eat meat from an outfit that convinced you it was raised without cruelty, right up to a pain and panic free slaughter? For say, a 20% premium?

spoovy 7y ago
I definitely would. You can buy chickens for £2.50 each in ASDA which is less than a pint of beer in my local pub. Something not right about that.
Brushfire 7y ago
Yes. And do. And so do millions of people. The market is there, but the mechanism is not -- because to trust that the animals are not abused, you must know about the farm, which breaks traditional supply chains where a chicken is a chicken. I've often wondered if a single-source brand could arise where they simply print a QR code on the package that would let you track the meat from its source and review living conditions (video, photos, etc). Its just a matter of historical record, so its feasible if you're willing to install the technology in the farm. There are independent auditors to assess farm quality for organic, etc -- why not also employ them for cruelty practices.
simonask 7y ago
Most people who have the means to do so probably would. However, the killing in itself is very difficult to defend at all, in my opinion. You very quickly run into some sketchy philosophical dead-ends, such as for example the notion that human life fundamentally has some kind of divine right to make decisions of life and death over lesser lifeforms.
- sauwan 7y ago
  >divine right to make decisions of life and death over lesser lifeforms Are plants not lesser lifeforms? I ask this as someone who does not eat factory farmed meat and buys nearly all organic produce, from local farms if possible. But I just don't find this argument compelling. It's not our "divine right", it's just a survival mechanism for our species. There are other much more compelling arguments for avoiding meat consumption.
  - simonask 7y ago
    It is hopefully obvious to everyone that a plant does not suffer in the same way that a cow does. Add to this that many plants actually rely on being consumed for reproduction. Sure, our sewage systems prevents it from actually working, but it is clearly not a crime in any metaphysical sense to consume a fruit that contains seeds.

spoovy 7y ago

I definitely would. You can buy chickens for £2.50 each in ASDA which is less than a pint of beer in my local pub. Something not right about that.

Brushfire 7y ago

Yes. And do. And so do millions of people. The market is there, but the mechanism is not -- because to trust that the animals are not abused, you must know about the farm, which breaks traditional supply chains where a chicken is a chicken. I've often wondered if a single-source brand could arise where they simply print a QR code on the package that would let you track the meat from its source and review living conditions (video, photos, etc). Its just a matter of historical record, so its feasible if you're willing to install the technology in the farm. There are independent auditors to assess farm quality for organic, etc -- why not also employ them for cruelty practices.

simonask 7y ago

Most people who have the means to do so probably would. However, the killing in itself is very difficult to defend at all, in my opinion. You very quickly run into some sketchy philosophical dead-ends, such as for example the notion that human life fundamentally has some kind of divine right to make decisions of life and death over lesser lifeforms.

sauwan 7y ago
>divine right to make decisions of life and death over lesser lifeforms Are plants not lesser lifeforms? I ask this as someone who does not eat factory farmed meat and buys nearly all organic produce, from local farms if possible. But I just don't find this argument compelling. It's not our "divine right", it's just a survival mechanism for our species. There are other much more compelling arguments for avoiding meat consumption.
- simonask 7y ago
  It is hopefully obvious to everyone that a plant does not suffer in the same way that a cow does. Add to this that many plants actually rely on being consumed for reproduction. Sure, our sewage systems prevents it from actually working, but it is clearly not a crime in any metaphysical sense to consume a fruit that contains seeds.