Isaksen Dáidda

Hunting, fishing, herding – I am in full support when done right. The meat industry however, is creepy at best and hellish at worst.

My grandmother was a farmer, but quit when when new laws forbid her oxen from stepping out into the sun. This was in 1970, and during these years there were a lot of similar laws.

I have a great respect for farmers. Like so many others, it was part of my childhood dream – for this very reason, I hate the meat industry.

The industrialized farmers of today are pushed to the edge, forced to abuse, and to ignore the agony of their animals to maintain their living. What they receive moneywise, is an insult to their work, while others profit on it and on the misery of their animals.

Some manage to find ways to keep animals while also maintaining their dignity and welfare, and I would bow to my shoes in front of these people. In my country we are lucky enough to have an “animal welfare mark”, (dyrevernmerket) which enables me to purchase my animal products from welfare-approved places. The store I use – Rema 1000 – quit selling the infamous “monster chicken”, Ross 308 in 2018, and I hope more will follow.

My feelings towards eating meat, are divided. I have much respect for those who don’t, and have often considered it myself. However my goal is only to quit abusive industrial animal products, I am quite happy supporting those who find honourable ways to be farmers, hunters, and fisherfolk. I want to strengthen these people and for them to take some of the business away from the industry. Perhaps we should consider eating much less, but more expensive – ethical – meat.