The United Kingdom’s new Shadow Farming Minister has shown a militant side in regards to her vegan beliefs, suggesting that eating meat products should be handled no different than tobacco products in regards to health concerns.
Kerry McCarthy shared that she feels eating meat is just as dangerous to an individual as puffing on a cigarette and wants to suggest all meat products carry a warning label of some sort, according to Metro .
“I really believe that meat should be treated in exactly the same way as tobacco, with public campaigns to stop people eating it.”
McCarthy referenced, loosely, the legislation that would prevent eating cloned animals within the United Kingdom, stating that progress is being made to protect animals.
“Progress on animal welfare is being made at EU level… but in the end it comes down to not eating meat or dairy.”
McCarthy admitted that her methods are militant in nature, but she claims the environmental impact of killing animals and eating them has become too harsh on the country, according to the Guardian .
“The constant challenging of the environmental impact of livestock farming is making me more and more militant, not least that CAP [common agricultural policy] payments are available for grouse shooting, controlling buzzards and forestry.”
Although there are individuals on McCarthy’s side, there are many who feel she is overstepping her boundaries and is distancing herself and the Labour party from Britain, a move that many feel is risky. Tim Bonner, the Countryside Alliance Chief Executive, spoke out on the matter.
“Kerry McCarthy’s views on meat eating and livestock farming are completely out of step with the vast majority of people. Her ideas are verging on the cranky. This appointment is only going to make it more difficult for Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour party to reconnect with rural Britain.”
McCarthy fought an uphill battle from the beginning of her appointment of Shadow Secretary, considering her vegan lifestyle in relation to agricultural affairs. Animals and meat are a large part of agriculture in the United Kingdom, and it left many wondering if her vegan preferences would cause conflict with her position. According to her militant suggestion to treat meat like tobacco, many are getting the feeling that she is going too far.
The Royal Association of Dairy Farmers released a comment sharing concerns about her attachment to the treatment of animals and the meat that individuals put on their plate.
“Her ideals are based on emotion rather than scientific fact.”
[Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images News]
