Taking the hate off the Christmas plate

Dear Editor,

Is there merit in believing that Christmas food advertising constitutes a hate crime?

Directed at the 2% of the population who identify themselves as vegan and the 8% who identify themselves as vegetarian (2018 figures).

During the Christmas holiday season the industry of death ramps up its production and promotion of its products. Aimed at those creating an animal graveyard in their stomach as they enjoy eating the flesh of the fallen.

Our humane eyes and ears are assaulted by glossy television, radio and print advertisements eulogising animal products-based Christmas. Slick television commercials promote having an animal carcase and animal by-products as the centre of the Christmas dinner table.

This retail version of the Final Solution is upsetting to those who want to celebrate the holiday season with any input from animal products.

The existence of a myriad of vegan diets, sound in nutrition and health affirming benefits, shows that humane food consumption is possible. A diet based on meat and animal by-products is being flayed as unhealthy, environmental destructive, and leaking into the violent culture so prevalent in society today.

As we begin the season where the carcase of a dead bird is a centre point of a festival that celebrates new life the message is simple: by removing meat and animal by-products consumption from your diet you are helping to close the bloody slaughterhouse door.

May we all have a happy and humane vegan Christmas.

Yours, John Tierney, Chairperson - Waterford Animal Concern, Larchville, Church Road, Waterford.