Dear Editor,
I have no fear of zombies, witches, or evil clowns lurking on Halloween. What really scares me is the meat industry.
This is the industry that deprives, mutilates, cages, then butchers billions of cows, pigs, turkeys, chickens - animals who feel joy, affection, sadness, and pain, as we do…
-- that exposes undocumented workers to chronic workplace injuries at slave wages, and exploits farmers and ranchers by dictating market prices…
This industry contributes more to our epidemic of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer than any other, then bullies health authorities to remove health warnings from dietary guidelines…
-- that sanctions world hunger by feeding nutritious corn and soybeans to animals, instead of people…
This industry generates more water pollution than all other human activities, spews more greenhouse gases than all transportation, and destroys more wildlife habitats than all other industries.
Fortunately, my local supermarket offers a rich selection of plant-based meats, milks, cheeses, and ice creams, as well as a colorful display of fresh fruits and veggies. Even the meat industry publication Feedstuffs reports that sales of plant-based foods doubled last year. That's what gives me both courage and hope.
Sincerely,
Richard Brandenburg
1035 Suncrest Dr
Ogden, UT 84404
312-224-2681
References for Editor
www.chicagotribune.com/news/watchdog/pork/ct-pig-farms-abuse-met-20160802-story.html
www.washingtonpost.com/local/you-cant-let-nobody-see-tyson-workers-caught-on-video-mistreating-chickens/2016/08/10/b96979bc-5f2d-11e6-8e45-477372e89d78_story.html
www.oxfamamerica.org/explore/research-publications/lives-on-the-line/
www.nytimes.com/2017/05/21/opinion/who-factory-farming-meat-industry-.html?
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/10/huge-reduction-in-meat-eating-essential-to-avoid-climate-breakdown
https://www.feedstuffs.com/news/plant-based-food-sales-doubled-last-year
