How can vegan options being available in the mainstream be bad for the animals?
“You can’t be a vegan and still eat at fast-food chains”
This article has been printed in the Metro and I’m glad for it. It made me think about the effect of so many businesses offering vegan options. I felt the need to write about it because I think that some people will read it and accept the claims without batting an eyelid, others will feel irritated and won’t want to dwell on it, and some may read it and struggle to work out what’s wrong with the claims. For that reason, I’ve quoted a few bits from the article and shared my thoughts below them.
Seduction wins!
One of the claims in the article
“But despite criticism of the chain over animal suffering, as outlined in a report by World Animal Protection, the seduction will succeed. Why? Because a lot of vegans believe that spending money at chains like McDonald’s will ‘show a demand’ for plant-based products and bring an end to the slaughter and exploitation of animals. ”
My view
I know a number of vegetarians and meat-eaters who told me that they couldn't wait to try the vegan sausage roll from Greggs. This was because of the hype about how good it was, but they also wanted to see if they could go without the meat version
Most of the people who ate it told me that they loved it and could eat less meat if the alternatives were like this
I’ve met staff who work in restaurants which have launched vegan options and they’ve said the same. They tried the new vegan offerings, even though they're not vegan themselves, they liked them and would get them again!
I haven’t got any more recent examples specific to McDonald’s but I would have thought that the same would apply.
Profit
“In other words, meat-eaters continue to buy beef burgers and they still account for most of Burger King’s profits.The only difference is that vegans and vegetarians have started to come through the doors, too. That sound you can hear is burger bosses laughing all the way to the bank.”
I’m sure there’s some truth in it
I’m sure that the introduction of vegan items, especially where none existed before, is increasing the profit that these businesses make. I don’t think that it’s something that will continue forever, and I think it’s too early to conclude that vegetarians and vegans who didn’t visit such places will continue to be customers, meat-eaters will keep ordering as they did before, and the beneficiary is, and will remain, the business.
Some vegans will go and support these restaurants and then keep an eye on how they behave and what they say, after which they’ll decide whether to stay or go. I think more and more omnivores are reducing their meat intake, so I think that will have an effect on what we see also. It’s just too early to conclude what will happen.
Financially supporting unethical businesses
“But if you are vegan because you want animal exploitation to actually end, and if you hope that a fairer society for animals could lead to a fairer society for people, then handing money to McDonald’s, a company that exploits humans as well as animals, would be heretical. ”
My view
It’s true! There are businesses that exploit animals and humans. The business’s policies may result in torture, captivity, cruelty, poor health and death of animals. Much of this will apply to their staff as well. In case you’re wondering what I mean, their practices may cause mental torture to their staff, they may feel trapped by unfair contracts, the cruelty is self-explanatory, their wages may not be enough to sustain good health and it could result in them dying.
The only thing is, McDonald’s are not alone in this. Should everyone stop shopping at supermarkets where workers and animals are exploited? What about shops that specialise in body care but are owned by a company that’s known for testing on animals? Should boycotts on all Nestlé remain? What about companies like Unilever that produce so many items under different branding?
Also, why is this only expected of vegans? Is the implication that omnivores supporting companies that exploit humans and animals is acceptable because they eat meat? So they don’t care about humans or animals and aren’t judged regardless of where they use their wallet?
How will all of this new activity affect smaller businesses?
smaller businesses, which includes vegan ones will be affected and I’m sure they have been for a few years now. Why do I say that? Well, lots of high street restaurants began offering vegan options, that were labelled clearly a couple of years ago. They didn’t stop there! Many of them have been doing their best to ensure that customers have felt, and continue to feel, safe and they’ve continued to increase their vegan offerings too. With this in mind, I’m sure that other restaurants have felt an impact for some time.
It’s a shame but I think those who want to enjoy a meal with non-vegans are more likely to go to a non-vegan restaurant or cafe than their non-vegan friends agreeing to go to a fully vegan place. Thus vegans are more likely to eat out and not opt for dining at a fully vegan place. However, those who cannot be swayed, are extremely passionate, have an allergy or can't stand the idea of cross-contamination, will more often than not, opt for a vegan business.
More vegan options everywhere
I think that the more vegan options there are, the better. Why? A lot of people who are thinking of going vegan still might think it's too hard. However, it’s easy to spot that there are more vegan food options, that vegan clothing is easy to find, that businesses have clearly marked vegan shoes, bags, cosmetics, cleaning products and so on; the more chance that they will become vegan and realise that it’s easy to stick to it.
What do you think about all this?
Get in touch, as I’d love to hear your take on it.
“Reducing meat and dairy consumption will cut methane and allow forests to thrive.”