Forget turkey, and other meat

To the editor:

(re: “Think about the animals,” Nov. 25)

I take issue with the recent letter by Robin Ganzert, promoting so-called “humanely raised meat.”

This is a concept that is losing popularity because there is much evidence to show there is no such thing. All animals — and that includes turkeys — would prefer to live.

I believe that if most people knew the truth, they would not participate in this cruelty, as evidenced by a quote attributed to Paul and Linda McCartney, “If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegetarian.”

Even traditional animal welfare organizations such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Humane Society of the United States promote a plant-based diet to a degree for both compassionate and health reasons.

The creation of all animal products inevitably involves cruelty and injustice. A baby calf, for example, is pulled from his mother as early as a couple days old, before being raised and slaughtered for veal — the misery on your plate.

The chicken industry routinely kills millions of male chicks because they do not lay eggs. Laying hens are killed when their production declines. Most have their beaks cut to minimize the damage they can cause each other by overcrowding.

Commercial turkey production confines turkeys to tiny spaces. In the wild, turkeys show behavior that is both complex and intelligent. Raised for our consumption, they never get that chance.

If the cruelty issue does not resonate, consider the environment. Animal agriculture is the second-largest contributor to greenhouse emissions after fossil fuels. Greta Thunberg, a longtime vegan and environmentalism activist — although only 18 years old — has been trying to get this message out.

Most recently, she issued a stark warning to humanity: “Stop eating meat and switch to a vegan diet, otherwise we are” (expletive).

A vegan diet is not only ethical, but it can be delicious. Forget about the turkey being the “centerpiece of nearly every American Thanksgiving table.” You can easily substitute the many vegan roasts available in supermarkets such as by Field Roast or Gardein. Or you can make your own.

Plant-based foods represent a $7 billion industry, and has grown more than 43 percent in the past two years. So, they must be doing something right.

And lastly, our new mayor — Eric Adams — has been eating a vegan diet since 2016, and attributes it to curing his Type 2 diabetes. A staunch supporter of plant-based food, we can expect more from him when he takes office.

Elizabeth Forel

The author is president of the Coalition for NYC Animals, and co-founder of the Committee for Compassionate & Responsible Tourism

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