AS a taxpayer for many decades, I was dismayed to hear the Federal Government announce on July 15 that they will give more than $100 million in funding to the red meat industries.
This is a business which boasts of a turn- over of over $75 billion each year.
At a time when Australians are struggling to pay their rents, power bills and, yes, taxes, do we need to be giving a large chunk of those hard-earned funds to an industry which we know causes so much social disruption?
The UN has stated that animal agriculture is “one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global”.
Research also shows that eating red meat, including beef, pork, and lamb, evidently increases one’s chances of dying from nine major diseases, costing the poor taxpayer even more in healthcare costs.
Ask your local politicians to overturn the gifting of your money to pernicious industries.
And while you’re at it, try going vegan!
As well as helping the environment and your health, you’ll spare nearly 200 animals every year a life of misery and a terrifying death.
Dr Desmond Bellamy, Special Projects Coordinator, PETA Australia
