As an undergrad at the University of Idaho studying Animal and Veterinary Science and Agricultural Economics I was intrigued by Savannah Cardon’s “Not a missed steak.” The article had three main themes: animal welfare, consumer health, and environmental sustainability.
The initial reasoning behind becoming vegetarian was to minimize harm to animals. It is imperative that consumers understand that prior to harvest, livestock live in environments that prevent harm, distress, and disease while promoting overall animal health. The animal agriculture community uses guidelines develop
ed by Dr. John Webster referred to as the five freedoms to ensure animal welfare. These rights include Freedom from thirst hunger and malnutrition, Freedom from dis
comfort, Freedom from pain injury and disease, Freedom to express normal behavior, and Freedom from fear and distress. The USDA also enforces these rights with t
he Humane Methods of Livestock Slaughter Act and the Code of Federal Regulations Title 9.
Concerns of Cardiovascular Disease and Type 2 Diabetes caused by meat consumption were also discussed. Data linking red meats to increased health risks are inconclusive and highly rebutted. Furthermore, a diet containing healthy proportions of lean beef is as effective as “gold standard heart-healthy diets” in reducing LDL cholesterol as proven by a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. A red meat dietary component can actually reduce risks of heart disease.
Environmental sustainability was the primary argument for vegetarianism. According to an article in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, removal of animal agriculture would only decrease GHG emissions by 2.6 percent nationally and would be detrimental to food production systems. Livestock recycle 1.9 billion pounds of waste into a nutrient-dense food source, utilize land incapable of crop production, and produce fertilizer for organic crops. A food chain without animal agriculture is both improbable and infeasible.
Abbie Uhlenkott is a UI CALS student