Madhav Acharya has fallen into the trap of thinking that nothing dies if we all turn “vegetarian or even better vegan” (Letters, October 9).
When plants are grown in an agricultural environment you can be certain that insects, birds and animals are at best displaced, at worst die as a result. There is a frightening amount of herbicides and insecticides needed to grow soya or carrots and even if one consumes purely organic produce, the lack of diversity still creates a fairly stale environment that can never be like total wilderness.
What if cows graze pasture that has no fertiliser or sprays, are “mob grazed” to mimic nature and spend all year outside? I will tell you. The biodiversity is outstanding, with insects, butterflies, birds and mammals all in abundance living side by side in a beautiful balance that only nature can achieve. This is all before you have measured the carbon that is being sequestered back into the soil as a result of this process.
So when vegetarians and vegans preach that we should cut all meat out of our diet to save the world, they should be careful what they wish for. Not all meat is equal.
Simon Herring
Herring Farms, Walesby, Lincolnshire, UK
Letter: Vegans should remember that not all meat is equal
Pinoy Variant