Do you think our relationship with the natural world needs re-examining in light of?

[TheBuffster]

Has the pandemic made anyone scrutinize their relationship with nature?
Obviously started as a zoonotic disease and is not unique in that it's the conditions animals kept for food are kept in that allow these to flourish. BSE originated in the UK and Spanish Flu weirdly in the USA, so it's not simply a case of other nations being not up to scratch in the way they treat their animals.
My mum and dad have cut down on their meat consumption in the pandemic significantly, as had my sister. Just curious if anyone else is making conscientious purchases?
YABU- no I'm carrying on as before
YABU- I have made some changes

I don't think a wholly vegetarian diet is a bad thing, but I personally feel a more environmental way of eating is to eat locally, ethically and seasonally which is what I try and do as much as budget allows.

We have an allotment and our own hens so plenty of homegrown, pesticide free veggies and eggs. I can't sustain us fully but probably 70% in summer and even about 20% in winter if I plant smart.

Meat I buy from either a local butcher or if I can't, aldi, morrisons or m and s who support British farmers. I try to buy free range whenever I can. Veg again comes from a local greengrocer and I try and eat seasonally, so only whatever is in season locally fruit wise, but do sometimes end up with Spanish salad over winter etc.

I think if everyone did this, things would improve significantly with minimal inconvenience or change to peoples diets. Not everyone can afford to, but at a minimum if you chose 1 product such as eggs or chicken and buy the highest welfare/least air miles of that product it would be a step in right direction.

Grazing animals could of course be kept for producing manure without any cruelty if that is a big issue. There is so much wrong with this. How would you go about it?
I'm a sheep farmer. My sheep eat grass and silage. There are no mega indoor sheep farms here but there are in China. Plus multi storey pig farms. Why don't you direct your comments to them.

Even the WHO say demand for animal protein is the biggest factor in pandemics.

Where do they say this? Do you have a link to a source?

@frouby
Yes I have same ethics for food- local, free range/organic and sustainable. It’s not much relevance to pandemics but definitely in regards to supporting nature and the environment.

Also food waste is a big issue, not just environmental but also socially. I don't go as far as a mn magic chicken but I do make sure I use everything, or it goes into the animals or compost bin.

I think assessing our relationship with animals is a good thing (both to protect against future pandemics and for the sake of animal welfare).

Wet markets and factory farms should definitely be investigated and conditions improved...

It will definitely be interesting to see whether a culture shift follows the pandemic, though I'm not sure what to expect really.

As a side note, I'm not sure you're right about the origin of Spanish flu? I thought opinion was divided on where it originated (with France, the UK, China, and the USA all being possible suggestions.).

www.surgeactivism.org/covid19

Who report referenced in here. I'm sure you can access the full report on website somewhere.

I'd read the most likely source was a chicken farm in Kansas, but no, I don't think it is conclusive.

I think it does need re-examining but doubt much will change. Our use of fossil fuels, going short distances in Chelsea Tractors instead of walking because of being too lazy, fast fashion (why do some men want to dress like Jimmy Savile?), and wanting food that is seasonal in the UK flown/trucked miles year round, all should be re-examined and reduced.

Im 'carrying on as before' but I made my changes 2 years ago so my carbon / plastic footprint is much lower than what it once was.

Hang on, I thought the virus was caused by a leak in a lab?!

Because China's pig farms are outsourced from the USA. It was Western greed that meant they were created. Because this pushed local farmers into the wild animal trade out of poverty. Honestly China's relationship with the environment is fascinating and troubling. This isn't having a go at anyone, I just think as a 1st world country we should be leading in what we do to protect the earth and animals. Sheep are farmed for wool. Apart from lamb, but there isn't that much demand for bit as many meat eaters believe eating baby animals is cruel (my mil for one).

Apart from lamb, but there isn't that much demand for bit as many meat eaters believe eating baby animals is cruel (my mil for one). The meat from sheep is called 'lamb' but it is not from 'baby animals'

Sheep are farmed for wool. Not here they're not. I have bags of wool here that I can't sell. It's worthless at the moment.*

I just think as a 1st world country we should be leading in what we do to protect the earth and animals.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/868041/future-farming-policy-update1.pdf

www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/aug/14/chinas-billion-dollar-pig-plan-met-with-loathing-by-argentinians
Because China's pig farms are outsourced from the USA. It was Western greed that meant they were created Absolutely laughable. There is massive demand for meat in China and they have had a swine flu epidemic.

@Nowaynothappening

I haven’t eaten meat since I was 12. Flirted with veganism lots of the years, longest stretch was about 2 years. I don’t eat much dairy but I am a cheese addict and vegan cheese is rancid.

I agree with you on supermarket vegan cheeses but have you tried the brands Nut-crafter, Nettle's or Mouse's Favourite? They all make nut based cheeses that are delicious and have a depth of flavour.

@TheBuffster

www.surgeactivism.org/covid19

Who report referenced in here. I'm sure you can access the full report on website somewhere.

Er, I downloaded and read the white paper and the only reference to the WHO was to quote their list of zoonotic diseases. Nothing was said about the demand for meat being the biggest factor causing pandemics.

@TheBuffster
Here is what WHO actually says
“Anthropogenic factors such as agricultural expansion and intensification to meet the increasing demand for animal protein, global travel, trade in domestic or exotic animals, urbanization, and habitat destruction comprise some of the major drivers of zoonotic disease emergence.” p7
apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/68899/WHO_CDS_CPE_ZFK_2004.9.pdf

Anyone who's watched David Attenborough's recent film on Netflix will know the effects of meat eating and fishing on the planet.

We've more than halved our meat consumption and don't think we're any closer to nature but are doing our bit. We're better off for it IMO. Financially, health wise and enjoy meat/fish more when we have it.

People are free to do as they please but we'd be better off if everyone reduced their meat/fish consumption.

To be honest I am spending too much time on this, was just interested in most people's views. It's bleeding into baby time now so not ok.

I mentioned the panic buying as I was answering your OP - has the pandemic changed the way you think of the environment but you specifically focused on food habits We ate more meat but locally sourced because dried goods were hard to get hold off due to the pandemic.

Grazing animals could of course be kept for producing manure without any cruelty if that is a big issue.
It is only economically viable to have grazing livestock if there is a market for the meat or their by-products. Farmers aren’t just going to keep grazing animals just because they’re cute and fluffy. Businesses do not run on cute and fluffy.