Stacy Hangemanole
Vancouver Sun

Thursday, October 30, 2003

Re: Meat safety compromised by major slaughterhouse mess, Oct. 29

Thank you for opening the public's eyes to what is really going on with regard to production of their meat. Dare I say this is merely a symptom of a larger problem within society -- the public's insatiable appetite for cheap meat? Because the public demands it in large quantities, industry reacts by cutting corners, and this is the result.

Certainly nobody deserves to be made sick by the meat they eat, but people need to realize there is such a thing as cause and effect.

There is no reason why a hamburger should cost $2. Many costs stemming from meat production are not added -- environmental degradation, fossil fuel use, public health and safety. This does not even take into account the huge amount of animal suffering resulting from intensive meat production.

So while it may be unrealistic to expect everyone to become vegetarian, it is not unreasonable to ask that people cut down on the amount of meat they eat, and to pay more for it.

We need to appreciate that meat comes from living creatures, and the cost of that creature giving its life for our nourishment should be much much higher.

Stacy Hangemanole

Vancouver