Supporting a reduction in meat consumption

THE recent debate article by Steven McCulloch (VR, 17/24 January 2026, vol 198, p 95) was very well balanced, and much needed in view of the recent pronouncements from RCVS council that the veterinary profession should not support a reduction in meat consumption. Do they want to make us look like Luddites? It must be abundantly clear that with the human population having increased by over 800 per cent in the last 125 years, it is simply not sustainable for meat to be consumed at the same rate, even if all animals used for food are reared in dire conditions in intensive farms. However, they would like to perpetuate the myth that all farm animals are reared humanely, have a good life, and a stress- and pain-free death. We all know this to be untrue and begs the question whether council members are more concerned about the livelihood of farm vets than climate change, animal welfare and the environment. Veganism is increasingly popular, and this will undoubtedly continue, so a 50 per cent reduction in meat consumption is a very modest target. A vegan veterinary association exists to promote the elimination of animal exploitation.