Christine asked the other day about my comment that I still want a cow. Why? Well, it's all about that damn book
;o)
The news for the past week or so has featured a video released by the Humane Society about the abuse of downer cows at a meat processing plant in Sacremento, I believe. That's a clickable link to a video you really do not want to see. As consumers we trust those in charge of such things to put in place policies, procedures, and regulations to protect the health of the consumer. There are very strict rules pertaining, especially, to cows who are unable to walk to the kill floor. Cattle who cannot physically move themselves must NOT be processed for human consumption. Prodding, shocking, lifting, forcing cows who cannot do so under their own locomotion to move along is absolutely and completely forbidden. Animal rights groups will rally against torture of the cow for its sake, and so they should. No creature should endure unnecassary pain at the hands of another. However, the strict policies are in place for OUR safety. If the cow can't walk to it's death, there's a reason. Cows don't just go down, and realistically, they don't resist going forward out of a fear of what's coming. Pushing a downer cow on for processing (nice euphemism, huh?) right along with every other cow exposes all of that meat to potential taint from the sick one, and exposes every single consumer to potential danger. The work that these slaughterhouses do goes on behind windowless walls. We trust the regulations to protect us, and we trust the processors to adhere to those regulations. And trust is all we have.
So why do I want a cow? Because Michael Pollan's book has created a consumer with a conscience. And a guilty one to boot. I don't want to support what agribusiness has become. Even the whole organic / health food / back to simple business has become BIG business. Does eating pesticide-free lettuce that was trucked here by a fossil-fuel burning big-rig from California, that was offered for sale in a climate controlled supermarket that keeps the lights on 24/7, and was packed in non-biodegradable plastic bags for the ride home in a 17 mpg SUV really make a gentler footfall on the planet? It's a tough, tough situation in which we've allowed ourselves to be caught.
So that cow. Really, what I want is 2 cows - a cow for milk and a steer for meat. I want a flock of chickens for eggs and meat, and to help the cows build up the grasses in the pasture that will feed them. I want to plant fruit trees and grow vegetables, to put solar panels on the roof to power the plug-in car that I want in my garage. I want to walk more, and leaver shallower footprints. Won't all happen, not in this spot, anyway, but it eases this consumer's conscience a little to know that I can do what I can. I can grow more food, I can serve less meat, and I can try my best to make an informed decision about what I buy. And I can dream about that cow...
9 comments:
Every animals life is just as important to them as ours is to us. You are going to have a hard time butchering your steer. Been there and couldn't do that.
Just a word from an old farm girl--we did raise and butcher our own hogs. We didn't pet them or do much other than feed them. We had a few head of cows (notice I didn't say cattle because that is too impersonal)--never butchered the first one. Each cow had a name and a personality just as unique as a dog or cat. How can you butcher a pet...it was hard enough to sell them. I have been in a small town for more years than I lived on the farm, but I still go to fairs just to pet the cows!
Sorry this is so long, but I am always telling my husband to just think if women canned all their food like we did at home. So much less garbage! One little tiny dome lid, or maybe two or three depending on how many you are cooking for.
I've had some thoughts similar to yours and concluded that I couldn't kill the animal. So, um, I guess I need to have a few head of tofu?
Guess this comes from working on the grunt side of health care. Could kill a cow (have helped, not pretty, not as bad as caring for a bed bound person), and would if that is what it took to get meat.
I am following a challenge from Oprah (not always my favorite, but this seemed reasonable) to do at least one thing to help the environment. I drive as little as possible, but my one thing is to use cloth bags for grocery shopping. Of course I have also lowered the thermostat to 65, don't use the electric heat dry on the dish washer, and hang dry atleast half of all clothes (and wash almost all my clothes in cold water).
I read Ominvore back when it first came out. I don't want a cow (or two). I do want a source for meat that respects animals as creatures with feelings.
I have participated in killing and dressing chickens we raised in our back yard. It was a dreadful job, but I am glad I did it because I know I can. I don't want to do it again. The eggs were wonderful though.
Now, get the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and enjoy it.
I saw that video before and was horrified. I decided I would not eat any more meat(except fish). I grew up on a farm but our animals were always treated well. Cows are such sweet gentle animals it broke my heart to see them abused like that.I have been told(don't know for sure if it's true) that Amish treat their animals with kindness and respect.Amish sell meat here at the farmers market .I will check into that.
The story of the cows at that meat-processing plant gripped me, too. I love meat, but I could not kill an animal. I see the 4-H kids at the fair with their prize angus steer and wonder how they cope with the fact that their pet's fate is sealed--it's going to end up on someone's plate soon.
I, like you, have wanted a cow or two for sometime. I don't trust the government oversight that is to protect us, the consumer, and the clip you shared shows only one of many reasons why. If only my husband's job wasn't so tied to a metro area - I would be in the country in a heartbeat. The other thing I want for my home in the country is a Bergey windmill. Enjoy your posts!
You're right - it's a tough dilemma and these issues are something I struggle with, too. And I agree, organic lettuce which is shipped from Cal and so on and so on as you eloquently expressed isn't the ideal food - but I look at it this way - it's better than non-organic lettuce which etc. So I change the variables I can, when I can - use reusable bags instead of plastic, buy locally when I can, walk to the supermarket or have delivery when possible - every small step may be a small step, but it's still a step, and better than not stepping at all. it's kind of like voting i think - you might think that what one person contributes is small and insignificant, but when you add it all together, it's bigger and more significant.
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