It's a bit much for us to judge the third world for exploiting animals for their own needs when we're so happy to exploit the third world for our own wants.
Yes! This^^^
I just. don't. know. what the solution is. I do think boycotting oxfam would do more harm than good though.
But can I just say that I reckon the term "the third world" is a bit outdated now? For a while it's been considered more appropriate to use the term "developing countries", though apparently even that is a little off now too as it kinda implies that those countries need to fall into line with our western ways to become "developed" countries... Anyway some are now suggesting we use the the term "majority world" as the majority of the world live in poorer, less "developed" countries. Just something to think about
It's unfair to criticise Africans for animals abuse when we are abusing them on a much large scale, therefore vegans should donate money to help Africans to reach a scale of animal abuse similar to our own????
During depressions no one eats meat except the rich. It's just not economically possible.
If african countries are doing it tough they shouldn't be able to have luxuries such as meat.
Africa's problems go much deeper than not having enough food. I dont think western systems of civilisation will ever succeed in Africa.
I think a lot of veg*ns seem to forget about basic human rights, I for one never even thought about it until about 6 months ago. People are animals too, so if your reason for becoming veg*n is to reduce animal suffering, then that should also include humans.
I'm the same! Early Feb/late Jan it just hit me that I should buy fair trade. I don't know why I never thought of it before.
Just food for thought. Most of the animals you can send through world vision are not for 'meat.' but for milk (goats and cows) or eggs (chickens turkeys etc). Sending a cow over just for beef is not sustainable.
Also, in regards to World Vision donation money. as i said before i've been donating for 3 years and ever six months (i think?) you get an update with a diagram of where each cent has gone. Sure, compared to many charities they spend more money on administration, but still the majority goes to the cause. The administration costs dont bother me at all. Without them, World Vision wouldn't be able to have ad campaigns or billboards or pamphlet handouts etc. I'm happy for a portion of my money to go to spreading awareness of poverty and hopefully attracting new donors.
for a cow continue producing milk you have to continuously keep it pregnant, killing it's babies as they pop out.
I assume it is the same for goats.
Ergh I highly doubt they would be killing its babies.
For a cow or goat to produce milk they need to give birth approximately once a year (more or less depending on the breed) which doesn't equate to many offspring at all considering they wouldn't have many cows or goats to begin with.
It's not the same as running a large scale dairy farm where you have millions of cattle giving birth to offspring several times a year through artificial insemination, and then ending up with so many calves that they essentially become a waste product.
The calves in this situation would most likely be sold to another family, or used by the same family for milking. Other than food, cows also produce fertiliser to grow crops, so I'm sure that most people see that cows are more of an advantage to them alive rather than dead. (The same goes for goats).
They would use the animals much better than we do. Making the most of them, no waste. Keep them until all eggs/milk is done and then eat them.
I still have this niggling feeling though that....... it's still killing animals, which is what vegans are meant to be against. Yes, they need it and have no choice for survival... but honestly, by donating you ARE chosing humans over animals. That's just a fact.
..Saying that... I have no problem with charities and I think it's great that it is such a popular cause.. I think everyone should live a happy life.. but yea, it is a bit weird seeing vegans defending the slaughter and use of animals........ for other humans.
But then again the world isn't black and white and we can all only do our best.
As a vegan I am against the killing of animals when people have a choice. In Australia most people have never truly been hungry or thirsty, and there is a wide range of foods available for us to choose from, and enough vegan foods for us to live healthily.
If you stop donating then you are choosing animals over humans (it works both ways).
You just need to weigh up both sides of the issue to make an educated decision.
In my opinion the fate of these people would be worse if we didn't donate, than the fate of the animals they receive when we do donate.
There are far greater issues to be concerned with much closer to home, then worrying about charities which are buying animals for people in underprivileged nations.
It's unfair to criticise Africans for animals abuse when we are abusing them on a much large scale, therefore vegans should donate money to help Africans to reach a scale of animal abuse similar to our own????
During depressions no one eats meat except the rich. It's just not economically possible.
If african countries are doing it tough they shouldn't be able to have luxuries such as meat.
Africa's problems go much deeper than not having enough food. I dont think western systems of civilisation will ever succeed in Africa.
The animals are primarily for milk and eggs, no doubt they would consume some of them as meat but they would be as a byproduct. It's not really about scale though, at least I don't think so. It really comes down to necessity. People might not want to admit it but veganism is a luxury. I can honestly say that if I lived in a poor village in Africa I'd eat meat, almost everybody on this forum would even if they'd say otherwise.
Also, isn't this really similar to that whole debate that comes up on here every now and then about buying vegan products from companies that abuse animals? Everyone always defends those companies and praises them for offering a couple of vegan products (eg subway and cosmetics companies) but when a major aid organisation gives people animals to survive they should be boycotted?
