VEGANISM VS. ANIMAL PROTEIN CONSUMPTION

Veganism is a movement with a growing social footprint that spreads its cause through activism and politics. Some social interactions of vegans have also contributed to the development of vegaphobia, especially within communities directly or indirectly dependent on animal production for food consumption. The European Union relies on small to medium-sized farming to feed its population and to sell surplus agricultural produce outside the EU. Small to medium sized farms are more easily transformed into more modern and sustainable farming units than large intensive farms. However, a reduction in the production of meat and food of animal origin (milk, eggs, etc.) would cause significant economic hardship for farmers. Currently, there is no EU policy aimed at reducing the production of meat and food of animal origin, nor are active measures being taken to change farming practices away from the production of animal proteins in line with the vegan philosophy. EU agricultural policy is mainly aimed at optimizing food production in terms of market regulation and protection of nature and vulnerable rural communities. It is also important to note that the vegan market in the EU is growing rapidly and should not be ignored.
The extreme opinion tendencies of vegans and their opponents have arisen from the diversity of opinion dynamics and the presence of individual "stubbornness". However, some people and professions are caught between opposing groups and opinions because they cannot afford to choose sides, or they would lose their purpose and mission. Veterinary medicine is one such profession. Veterinarians are tasked with protecting animals, yet most of them consume animal proteins. Veterinarians must also treat carnivorous pets that are fed vegan diets by their vegan owners, thus transferring the eating disorders common in the vegan community to the animals. These practices are also at odds with the vegan philosophy, as they can harm animals. The differences of opinion are becoming so great that they should no longer be ignored. Adjusting to these differences should begin with discussion, education, research, and policies based on reliable and transparent data.

Students and Educators

Contact the EUTOPIA curriculum team: Laura Šimenc (Laura.Simenc@vf.uni-lj.si) and Karen Triquet (karen.triquet@vub.be).