In reaction to unethical local industrial animal farming practices, many pamphlets, publications, websites, and even movies have been created in order to promote strict veganism. In contrast, very little exists to promote conscientious omnivory and sustainable farming. But as surprising as it might seem the latter would be better for mankind, the environment, and even for animals. In this essay, I will describe what I mean by conscientious ominvory and sustainable farming, and will explain why these should be promoted as the best options for mankind, the environment, and even for animals.
I agree that the North American conventional farming methods are unethical as well as very harmful for the environment. On industrial farms, a great number of animals are confined in overcrowded conditions, often indoors and on hard floors. These animals are alienated from their natural instincts and natural behavior and suffer both on a physical and psychological level (Lund and Olsson 47-48). Cruel practices, such as forced anemia for calves, castration without anesthesia of pigs, and debeaking of egg-laying chickens are very commonly used. These horrible practices exist in order to increase productivity and create products that fit better what is considered to be “consumer's tastes”.
Nowadays, it is impossible to buy mainstream animal products, such as meat, eggs and dairies, without supporting, in some way, these unethical farming practices (Matheny and Chan 583-584). When one considers these practices as going against one's values, one can decide to boycott all animal products, so as not to have anything to do with them and as a way to protest. It is a very natural and logical answer, and I completely understand it. But, there are alternative solutions to a vegan diet that can result in least harm to animals.
If stopping the suffering of animals is the main objective, then the priority should be put on fighting for a rapid positive change in farming practices. Even Gaverick Matheny and Kai M. A. Chan, two vegan scientists highly involved in the promotion of veganism and in the fight for animals' rights, agree and stated that in comparison with vegan activism “the promotion of humanely-produced poultry and eggs may be even more effective” (589), that is, to improve general animal welfare.
They also explain that whereas veganism might send an unclear message to the food industry, choosing to buy only products coming from farms with ethical and sustainable practices can have more influence over agricultural practices. Indeed, the motivation for such purchases is undoubtedly linked to consumers' concern for farm animals' well-being (590). They also assured that “the animal protection movement, […] may make a greater contribution to animal welfare by promoting improvements in farm animals' lives especially those of poultry than by promoting vegetarianism.”(589-590).
Sometimes, veganism is promoted with the claim that a vegan diet would be not only a more ethical diet, but also a healthier diet. It is a very dangerous statement to make as it has still not been proven that a vegan diet is adapted to the nutritional needs of human beings. First, from an anthropological point of view, there is not such a thing as a completely vegan society, where everyone, children, pregnant women, mothers and active women and men eat nothing but plant based products. If human beings were meant to, or simply could, live on vegetable based diets, at least one society in the world would have taken that option over the time, especially as it requires less effort to get non-animal food. If we get food from animal origins (including fish and insects), it is most probably because we need it in order to survive.
In fact, scientists realize more and more nowadays, that not everyone can follow a vegan diet and stay in good health. It has been proven that a vegan diet does not provide enough DHA, vitamin B-12, A and D, calcium, zinc and selenium for a good health. Vitamin B-l2 deficiency can increase the risk cardiovascular disease and several diseases of the central nervous system and infants who are breastfed by a vegan mother are at risk of severe vitamin B12 deficiency, which may result in growth retardation and brain atrophy. DHA is virtually absent in foods of plant origin and a deficiency in DHA can also be at the source of brain development problems. (Dale 19). Many studies have also been indicating a link between decreased calcium/Vitamin D levels in the body due to a vegan diet and low bone mineral density (BMD). It also states that people following a vegan diet and living in a country, like Canada, that allows relatively less sun exposure are at even higher risk. Low BMD is linked to a much higher risk osteoporosis, which is a potentially life threatening disease (Smith 305). Of course, these nutrients can be taken from supplements; but if doctors always recommend to people to get all their nutrients from natural, there must be a good reason for that. Also, from a moral point of view, the environmental impact of the production of food supplements is not negligible.
