Sir, – It is with relief that I read at last an article that addresses the main issues about meat-eating – the health consequences for the people who eat too much meat, the effect of large-scale meat and dairy production on climate change, and animal welfare concerns.
For his article "Why meat is madness" (Weekend, April 9th), John Gibbons needs to be commended for his courage in highlighting what is a taboo issue in this country. – Yours, etc,
JAN ALEXANDER,
Ballyconnell,
Co Cavan.
Sir, – While not a member of any animal rights movement, it would seem to me that if it were part of the school curriculum for each sixth-class student to be brought to an abattoir, we would end up as a nation of vegetarians in a short time.
We cannot believe that if we refuse to look at what we do not wish to see, that it will not exist. This is especially the case when what we do not wish to see is what we wish to eat. If eating meat were really indispensable, so be it, but it is not, and as John Gibbons points out, there are other even wider implications of enormous proportions.
But will we as a nation do anything? Probably not! Certainly not while the agricultural sector holds such sway with the powers that be. – Yours, etc,
ROBERT WHITE,
Borris,
Co Carlow.
Sir, – I thought John Gibbons raised some important points in his article. Meat is maddening.
Tightening our belts can start with what’s on our plates – less meat, more plants. The financial bottom line and the nation’s waistline would be the better for it. – Yours, etc,
DAVID JOHNSTON,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.