But lions, hyenas and weasels don't have weapons at their disposal, so they have to use the means they have. And they are killing to survive. It's only humans, and occasionally gangs of chimpanzees, who kill "for the fun of it". And humans use unfair advantage in the form of weapons fashioned just to kill. And the humans killing for fun have plentiful food at their disposal. Shooting some poor pheasant bred for the purpose of being killed for your entertainment is just unjustifiable, IMV.
If you aren't killing to survive, why do it though? Skill, camaraderie, the thrill of the chase - all these can be satisfied without blowing some harmless creature off the planet.
I agree @ViewAhead, when birds are specially bred and controlled by gamekeepers for the express purpose of being shot, it’s beyond comprehension. Of course I speak as a non-meat-eater for the last 40 years so I would say that wouldn’t I? BUT, it comes totally from a need for compassion and respect. I used to eat meat because my parents did and I was an obedient child but it made a world of difference to me when I stopped. And also to my health too of course
Then don’t breed them. Save the planet by using the land to provide food directly to humans instead of growing crops to feed to animals that are doomed to die
While I agree that globally we consume and waste to much meat, stopping livestock farming, especially in the UK, is misguided. Much of the pasture land in the UK is unsuitable for arable, I'm very skeptical that it would be rewilded, more likely it will be either developed or used for commercial forestry. Encouraging regenerative mixed farming has huge benefits for the environment, especially soil health. The reintroduction of wildflower meadows as a pasture crop is a win win scenario.
There are always alternative growing methods for unsuitable land. Technology, whilst sometimes doubtful, will always come up with new methods. Hydroponics is an interesting idea too especially when used with renewable energy.
Think of all the land that is used to grow soya to feed to livestock. That soya could go directly to humans. It’s worth it to save animals’ lives. And the healthiest human populations on the planet don’t eat meat.
Would you outlaw all meat eating? Chickens and other farm animals are bred with the purpose of being killed and eaten.
But not for the fun of killing. Humans have to eat. They do not have to gad about the countryside firing at wildlife.
I don't want any living thing to suffer unnecessarily. I do eat meat and fish (partly because my diet is very restricted in other ways), but in small portions and I never waste any. I would not, could not, kill something for "sport".
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Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Of course I speak as a non-meat-eater for the last 40 years so I would say that wouldn’t I? BUT, it comes totally from a need for compassion and respect. I used to eat meat because my parents did and I was an obedient child but it made a world of difference to me when I stopped. And also to my health too of course
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
It’s worth it to save animals’ lives. And the healthiest human populations on the planet don’t eat meat.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.