Nightmares of the holocaust of 2001 are coming back to haunt us with a new outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease, investigations made a link between problems with drainage and the possible actions, accidental or deliberate, of Merial employees who may own or use land near to the farm at Pirbright where the outbreak began.
These allegations may seem far-fetched, but such a conspiracy theory does put a finger on an essential truth: the vulnerability to viruses of a complex modern society. The foot-and-mouth epidemic has shown to the British public and the world at large the drawbacks of modern agriculture.
This is not just the fault of the government or supermarkets but the consumer whose insatiable appetite for cheap meat has driven agribusiness down this road to ruin.
Where will the crisis end? The mass slaughter and burning of livestock seems more symbolic than scientific. Why kill an animals suspected of carrying a virus that is not lethal and from which they eventually recover, if the disease is left to run its course perhaps animals would become more resistant.
The consumer need not worry though as a ready a plentiful supply of beef fattened on decimated rainforests is on its way from Argentina.
So the cows get better, the meat is edible and harmless to humans and the news sounds like an action replay from 2001. I've never Been A Vegetarian but am seriously considering Being One Now.
Posted by Carlito, on 10-08-2007 11:29,
They should sell cows due to be slaughtered for foot&mouth to a ""vegetarian relief"" wholesaler. That way, all of those vegetarians who are in fact repressed meat lovers can gourge themselves on beef that was about to be slaughtered anyway, without feeling an ounce of guilt.
Posted by tuzo, on 10-08-2007 13:22,
good for you (mli ) tis the way forward, dont eat your friends!
Posted by The Bat, on 10-08-2007 13:49,
Argentina is where foot and mouth originaly came from. They routinely innoculate their cattle against foot and mouth because they can't get rid of it.
Posted by tuzo, on 13-08-2007 11:15,
oh carlito a cara (2) why does everyone have to be repressing something in your world? In another incarnation i could see you as a pretty girl, with self esteem issues, that sadly imagines every other girl is envious of her. i do not eat meat, because i do not like the way animals are treated before they die, especially the treatment of pigs. The meat counter in the supermarket looks like a bad days work at the vets to me. We should bury the dead, the usual way!
Posted by Carlito, on 13-08-2007 12:59,
Well...if you have to take the moral high-ground Tuzo... This gets me on to the subject of people who obstain from something based on a moral arguement. This infuriates me, as it gives them a license to look down their moral noses at others who choose not to obstain... Examples are... SMOKING ""I don't smoke because if I did, I would be participating in an activity that brings harm to those around me."" This actually means... ""Every one else who smokes is irresponsible and they are willingly hurting (possibly fatally wounding) everyone around them."" VEGETARIANS ""I do not eat meat, because i do not like the way animals are treated before they die, especially the treatment of pigs."" means... ""Meat eaters are barbaric, and are supporting an industry that causes pain and suffering to animals."" FAIR TRADE ""I buy only fairtrade or local products because I do not want to risk supporting the modern slave-trade and the exploitation of the poor."" means... ""If you buy non-fairtrade products you risk supporting the exploitation of the poor around the world. How dare you?!"" Basically Tuzo, You can take any moral standpoint for your actions that you want to (freedom of speech etc.etc. ), but that does say reams about you doesn't it? At least if you ever catch me doing it, it's only to scoff at you. BURYING THE DEAD ""I carry a doner card so that my death can help people in the future."" Means... ""People who do not donate all of their vital organs when they die, are 85% likely to be causing pain, suffering and death to atleast 9 people in the future."" Still think we should bury the dead Tuzo?
Posted by tuzo, on 13-08-2007 19:03,
moral high ground,low ground, savannah, foothills.. whatever? groan (little charlie 6) its far too nice a day to take a trip into the fetid dank cavern of your mind. good luck with the scoffing (sounds like a lot of effort to me) and good luck with the ""actually means"" stuff too, lie down in darkened room for a while. and to your last question.... YES!
Nightmares of the holocaust of 2001 are coming back to haunt us with a new outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease, investigations made a link between problems with drainage and the possible actions, accidental or deliberate, of 
Where will the crisis end? The mass slaughter and burning of livestock seems more symbolic than scientific. Why kill an animals suspected of carrying a virus that is not lethal and from which they eventually recover, if the disease is left to run its course perhaps animals would become more resistant.
