Eat less meat – the debate hots up

A couple of months ago, I wrote a blog simply reporting research on the need to reduce our consumption of meat significantly.  The response from ToM commentators was sadly predictable in both tone and content.  I was ‘obviously’ part of a vegan ‘tree hugging community’ (I’m not at all sure what’s wrong with hugging trees!); ‘spouting rhetoric’ devoid of ‘reputable’ research data and of being sponsored by unnamed sources (possibly and mischievously, An Bord Bia – the Irish Food Board, no less!!).

For the record, neither a vegan nor a vegetarian am I but, hands up, I do take the debate on the links between industrial food production (especially but not exclusively meat) seriously.  For me, and for very many others worldwide, the research evidence of the need to significantly REDUCE our consumption (and waste) of meat is compelling.

The debate on meat production, consumption and waste is a serious and urgent one despite the ridicule, snide remarks and vested interest resistance.  It is paralleled by the debate on the role of fossil fuels and the powerful agendas involved. 

Like it or not, both issues will increase in importance in the years immediately ahead.

The research and...