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jrm19941994 t1_j31lcfb wrote

lol these graphics always act like if we all went vegan then all these farm animals would be living into old age. They are farm animals, they exist solely to be eaten. If there was less demand for meat, these animals in red would not exist.

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qeny1 t1_j32ypgi wrote

I don't see where anyone is claiming that we would raise animals to live to their natural lifespans. Indeed, if people eat fewer animals, then fewer will be bred.

And that is sort of the point -- it is morally preferable to not raise more animals if their lives are short and full of suffering. If just one fewer chicken lives through the agony of debeaking, confinement and slaughter, wouldn't that be preferable? If one fewer pig has to live through castration, tail docking, ear notching, confinement and slaughter, isn't that preferable?

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jrm19941994 t1_j341oxo wrote

Possibly. Hard to really say. Humans tend to prefer the suffering of life to the emptiness of non-existence.

However, that's not a justification for animal cruelty, and I do wish that we as a culture put more emphasis on animal welfare.

A good reason to switch to primarily beef for your meat intake. Generally less cruelty and fewer total animals killed. Also more nutrient dense and tastes better.

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cgspam t1_j33b7us wrote

From an environmental perspective a bigger issue is that we convert natural wild lands into farms to raise animals for meat. This kills wildlife and reduces biodiversity.

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jrm19941994 t1_j341a1a wrote

I'm pretty sure most farmland is for food crops.

Agree meat farming practices could be improved.

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