Man+Vs+Meat

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__http://www.peta.org/tv/videos/celebrities-vegetarianism/86975251001.aspx__
====Every day many animals are being abused, treated poorly, unable to receive any form on animal welfare, with animals that suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of found in factory farms (PETA, 2013). People for the Ethical Treatment of Animal’s video “//If slaughterhouses has glass walls, everyone would be vegetarian//” gives an insight into the horrific conditions animals are subject to in slaughterhouses, factory farming, live-animal transport and the fishing industry. Narrated by Paul McCartney the clip presents graphic and brutal glimpse into horrific abuse that occurs in these industries in order to provide cheap burgers, nuggets and other animal products to consumers. ====

__**PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE **__
====PETA’s video presents a clear public health message through one of its quotes; “Eating meat is bad for our health, it’s bad for the environment and it directly supports appalling cruelty to animals.” Although animal cruelty is demonstrated in various forms across many contexts, the main focus of this argument is to highlight the dreadful conditions animals are subject to in factory farms, slaughterhouses and during export. Animal welfare has considerable impact on the food chain including animal health and stress levels prior to slaughter influencing product quality, the commitment of animal welfare from individuals to improve policy within the area and customer concern about the welfare quality of the products they purchase (Blokhuis, 2008).The impact these areas have on society, the shocking practices that occur in this industry and how health and equality can be improved for all through the adoption of plant based diets will be discussed using scholarly articles and peer-reviewed journals. ====

**__LITERATURE REVIEW __**
====As the result of globalization and world wide pressure placed on producers to provide inexpensive dairy, veal, chicken, pork, beef, eggs, and fish products, factory farmed animals are treated as commodities and machines  of production lines (Blokhuis, 2008) with little to no regard to their rights to lif e (Donovan, 2013). These economic expectations have resulted in animals enduring poor welfare standards and living conditions in farm life, during transit and slaughter. (Lerner & Rabello, 2006, p. 7) ====

====According to the RSPCA (2013) animal cruelty can be exhibited in numerous forms including overt and intentional acts of violence towards animals, animal neglect and the failure to provide for the welfare of the under control. It can be defined as the deliberate infliction of physical or psychological pain on other living creatures and has an overwhelming presence in the world (Rowan, 2006, p.211). ==== ====Increasing consumer demands and changes in preferences have led cattle slaughter rates increasing steadily over time with 8.8 million calves and cattle slaughtered in 2003-04 (ABS, 2005).With the primary focus of the meat industry on maximising product and minimising cost, this often comes at the expense of the animals (Gunderson, 2013).. Grain fed cattle, which are preferable in the meat industry due to the ability to improve yield, meat quality and produce uniform fat and body weight scores are be subject to a range of problems that are marginally or not at all exhibited in grass fed (Connelly, 2009). These include acidosis, endototoxemia, sudden death and the prevalence of the food borne pathogen Campylobacter spp. (Connelly, 2009, p.16) ==== ====Examining the consumption of meat from religious perspective can also being considered unethical. Producing Halal products involves the slaughtering of fully conscious animals and is dubbed “cruel and inhumane” by the Australian Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) (Tiplady et al., 2012). However, Several Australian abattoirs still remain licensed to perform this practice (Tiplady et al., 2012). This is extremely controversial from many welfare groups due to research indicating that slaughter without stunning causes animals to take a long time to lose brain function and die (Gregory, 2008), cutting the neck causes pain (Gibson et al., 2009) and the intensity of suffering for an animal chocking on its own blood is extreme (Tiplady et al., 2012). ====

====Another example of significant animal cruelty is demonstrated in the chicken and egg industry where contemporary societal norms has dubbed the horrific concept of rearing chicken for the sole purpose of their meat as ‘normal’ (Gunderson, 2013). Out of the 470 million broiler chickens raised each year, only 4% are free range and the remaining 96% raised in intensive conventional farms where up to 60,000 chickens are genetically modified to reach market weight in 35 days (RSPCA, 2010) ==== ====To keep purchase prices low for consumers, the conditions that battery cage hens are subject to are clear examples of how these animals are marginalized from society, thus hiding animal welfare issues are hidden from consumers and further alleviating the cruelty occurring (Wenz, 2007). Chickens are cramped in small cages, stand on wire mesh flooring which, unlike the earth, prevent their nails from wearing down, lose feathers due to rubbing against the cage until they are raw with sores, cannot roost at night, bathe, clean themselves, feel sunlight, freely stretch their wings and breathe fresh air (Wenz, 2007). ====

====This cruelty is further emphasised in the comparison between the necessary requirement of space for an egg-laying hen; 290 square inches, and the designated 52 square inch (smaller than a sheet of paper) space that they must eat, sleep, drink, defecate and lay eggs on (Wenz, 2007). This highlights the fact that practices considered as providing welfare to animals and permitted under the Code of Practice in the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 (QLD), are still cruel. ====

====The exporting of animals from Australia to other countries also brings about significant animal welfare issues. Such problems include skin lacerations, grazing, broken tails, ulcerations and bleeding where ropes are secured around the nose (Gregory, 2008). One study demonstrates that these cruel practices continue to occur throughout the world with 99% of water buffalo and 84% of cattle that were exported from North India to Bangladesh for slaughtering having skin injuries upon arrival (Gregory, 2008). In 2011, the Australian Broadcasting Cooperation (ABC television) in conjunction with the Australian RSPCA broadcast an investigative journalism program regarding the treatment of Australian cattle exported to Indonesia. The footage included graphic animal cruelty where cattle were repeatedly kicked and beaten by workers, fingers gouged into animal nostrils and eye sockets, tails broken, cattle slipping and falling on wet concrete and being forced to watch others abused and slaughtered in front of them (Tiplady et al., 2012) ====

====<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Through vegetarian and vegan diets, reduced meat-consumption, increased plant consumption choosing more humanely produced animal products, the demand for inhumanly farmed animals will decrease and animal product industry’s will be forced to change their practices and improve animal welfare. Additionally, <span style="color: #231f20; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">with studies demonstrating that those on plant-based diets having far less incidences of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, multiple scolorisis ( <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Campbell & Campbell [|II], 2005 <span style="color: #231f20; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">) and outliving non-vegetarian counterparts by between 5- 10 years (Fraser, 2008), it is almost undeniable that these diets are beneficial to the individual, animals and society as a whole. ====

**__<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ANALYSIS __**
====<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Social systems are strongly influential in dictating the lives of animals and humans. A clear example of this is the discrepancy between domesticated animals which are given great amounts of care and attention and animals involved in food production which are often overlooked (Stuart et al, 2013). ==== ====<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Marx’s conception of alienation can be applied to the animals within industrial farming routines (Gunderson, 2013). He contrasts the fulfilled, open human life with the dehumanized existence of livestock animals within intensive rearing routines, alienated from their offspring, fellow animals, surrounding nature and species-life (Gunderson, 2013). As these production chains become increasingly ignored and isolated from society, the animals can be considered as a marginalized group exploited for the sole purpose for human consumption and estranged from fundamental needs. ==== ====<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">A clear example of the alienation in the cattle industry is exhibited by the concept of feedlots. Defined as 'a confined yard area with watering and feeding facilities where cattle are completely hand fed or mechanically fed for the purpose of production', this industry has dramatically increased as the result of demands from overseas customers, consistent high quality, specifically tailored and year round availability (Connelly, 2009, p.16). This is alienation also displayed in dairy cows which undergo more brutal exploitation and physical transformations to maximise favourable characteristics (Stuart et al, 2013). These capitalist production regimes placed upon factory farmed animals result in the distortion of life and suppression of biological and social needs (Stuart et al., 2013). By consumers being unaware of food processing practices and animal handling procedures, these processes are become routinely accepted in society, further placing a concept of “otherness” upon animals (Stuart et al., 2013). ==== ====<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The animal welfare movement can be strongly attributed to the influence of two individuals. Firstly, Peter Singer, whom argues from a utilitarian viewpoint to maximise happiness and minimise suffering, states that we must take into consideration the interest of animals when consuming and producing foods (Singer,1990). He states that ‘Animal factories are one more sign of the extent to which our technological capacities have advanced faster than our ethics” (Singer, 1990). Furthermore, considered as “the doctrine of rights”, Tom Regan advocates that both human and non human “subjects of a life” have basic moral right to respectful treatment, have inherent values and thus should withhold equal moral status (Regan, 1988). ==== ====<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Animal right activist groups have been developed to help counteract the cruelty that animals are subject to. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) are the two most renowned animal rights organisations in the world, working to prevent animal cruelty through enforcing existing legislation, improve animal welfare, educating policymakers and the public about animal abuse and promoting kind treatment to animals (RSPCA, 2013). These activist groups operate on the principle that animals are “not ours to eat, wear, experiment on or use for entertainment” (PETA, 2013). ====

====<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Public Health experts should work with these animal activist groups to uncover and educate consumers about the ‘behind-the-scenes’ happenings of slaughterhouses, factory farms and live-exports. This will help expose to public animal cruelty and suffering that they may otherwise be unaware of (Tiplady, 2012). With much of the population happily able to consume meat without many triggering horror or sympathy for the animals, this understanding will provide a more visual and cognitive connection for consumers between the sterile, clean and superficial presentation of meat and the animal in which it came from (Hopkins, 2008, p.580). A beneficial outcome of this would be improved animal welfare, the reduced overall meat consumption as a society and individuals choosing the purchase more humanely “organic” and “free range” farmed alternatives. ==== ====<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Numerous research studies highlight a trend toward greater consumption of vegetarian foods (Janda & Trocchia, 2001). Hamilton (2006, p. 166) suggests that this rise can be reflected in progressive move away from eating meat due to its symbol of violence. Thus, through vegetarianism, rather than representing power over nature, their status and lifestyle gives them power over other human beings with vegetarian life being the “negation of social power” (Eder, 1996). According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the changes over the past 40 years in Australian eating habits can be linked with new cultural influences, health considerations, changes in food prices and product marketing (ABS, 2005). According to worldwide survey, motives for vegetarianism included; 67% for ethical reasons, 38% for health, 17% for spiritual and religious reasons and 12% for gustatory or aesthetic reasons (Hamilton, 2006). Jabs et al. (1998) argues that vegetarian lifestyle founded initially on a health-related basis, are often maintained as they gradually become aware of evidence regarding health and animal welfare. (Fox & Ward, 2008) ====

====<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Through Paul McCartney’s eye-opening film clip “If slaughterhouses had glass windows, everyone would be vegetarian”, the underground and unnoticed animal cruelty that is occurring in livestock production chains are able to be uncovered to the greater public. With individuals failing to draw the connection between cruelty occurring in slaughterhouses and the superficial animal product on their plate, this artifact helps consumers become aware of the harsh realities and animal welfare issues that continue to occur in these industries. Through watching this, consumers can be more informed in their dietary choices and meat preferences. As a vegetarian, I have found this video has motivated me to change my initial food beliefs away from ‘health reasons’ to ‘ethical reasons.’ This change in motivation of is not unfamiliar amongst vegetarians with studies on the adoption and maintenance of vegetarianism suggesting that greater amount of plant-based meals in diets are adopted as individuals become more aware of evidence concerning health or animal welfare (Fox & Ward, 2008). It can therefore be concluded that a central point of focus that needs to be addressed in the animal product industry is that the cruelty that is occurring needs to be revealed to consumers, so that more animal-conscious food choices can be made, industries are forced to improved animal welfare standards and well-regulated policies are put in place to ensure this happens. From this assessment piece I have learnt the importance of looking global issues from a multi-factorial perspective and that in order to provide the best possible outcome to all stakeholders; solutions must highlight the needs of all. ====

__**REFERENCES**__
====Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2005). Australia’s Beef Cattle Industry.Retrieved from [|http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Previousproducts/1301.0Fea ture%20Article232005]====

====Blockhuis, H. J., Keeling, L. J., Gavinelli, A., & Serratosa, J. (2008) Animal welfare's impact on the food chain. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 19(1), S79-S87. Doi: [].====

====Campbell, T. C., & Campbell [|II], T. M. (2005). The China Study. United States of America: BenBella Books.====

====Connelly, P. (2009). Feedlot meat in Australia: Desirable or dangerous. Journal of the Australian Traditional-Medicine Society, 15(1), 15-17. Retrieved from [|http://search.informit.com.au.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/documentSummary;dn=071702229416429;res=IELHEA]====

====Hopkins, P. D., & Dacey, A. (2008). Vegetarian meat: Could technology save animals and satisfy meat eaters? Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics, 21(6), 579-596.doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10806-008-9110-0====

====Hamilton, M. (2006). Eating Death: Vegetarians, Meat and Violence. [|Food, Culture and Society: An International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research], 9(2), 155-177. doi: 10.2752/155280106778606053====

====Gibson, T.J., Johnson, C.B., Murrell, J.C., Chambers, J.P., Stafford, K.J., & Mellor, D.J. (2009). Components of electroencephalographic responses to slaughter in halothane-anaesthetized calves: Effects of cutting neck tissues compared to major blood vessels. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 57(2), 96-101.====

====Janda, S., & Trocchia, P. J. (2001). Vegetarianism: Toward a greater understanding. Psychology & Marketing, 18(12), 1205-1240. Retrieved from []====

Lerner, P., & Rabello, A. M. (2006). The Prohibition of Ritual Slaughtering (Kosher Shechita and Halal) and Freedom of Religion of Minorities. Journal of Law and Religion, 22(1), 1-62.
====PETA. (2013). Sir Paul McCartney Narrates ‘Glass Walls’. Retrieved from [|http://action.peta.org.uk/ea- campaign/clientcampaign.do?ea.client.id=5&ea.campaign.id=5133]====