Coronavirus infections in German slaughterhouses serve as the perfect argument against meat consumption
May 12, 2020 at 11:56 AM ,
Der AUDITOR
In an interview with the Germany newspaper taz Lisa Keinz, expert at Peta Germany for the ethical tratment of animals, explains that "people and animals are treated without dignity by the meat industry. The working conditions promote infections". Alex Grömminger, spokesperson of ProVeg Germany for food awareness adds that, "the cases show that the food system we live on is no longer up to date." Kainz and Grömminger call for meat consumption to end.
Kainz also criticises the working conditions in the companies as "the workers often stand close together. They have no chance to adopt any hygiene measures". The Peta activist reckons that only relying on better controls will not get a grip on these problems. According to Kainz, "the government agencies do not have enough capacities and the animals would not benefit."
For Kainz, it is clear that consumers should "clearly stop buying meat." This would also prevent the meat industry from moving slaughterhouses to other countries. Problem is that the implementation of higher standers would drive of production costs. Grömminger also states that there are enough vegetable alternatives and ProVeg supports a policy that promotes a vegan diet.
Kainz further reckon that organic meat is not a solution, because "most organic animals are killed in the same slaughterhouses". Not even one percent of organic livestock is processed by very small butchers with potentially better working conditions.
Although meat consumption has declined in Germany over the last few years, the level is still very high, especially in comparison with other EU member states. Meat consumption is also in rise throughout the world.
The treatment of animals in large slaughterhouses is clearly not justifiable in moral and in ethical terms. In addition, the high environmental pollution caused by the rising demand for animal feed and bythe animals flatulence cannot be ignored.
Finally, the current situation shows that the low meat prices, which make mass consumption possible, far too often run at the expense of the farmers. Cheap labour is frequently employed from other countries. These people live in cramped conditions and shared accomodation while working in Germany for a few months before returning home. To create better conditions for animals and humans it is therefore necessary to either stop eating meat or to cut back in meat consumption.
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