Shock and awe in Indonesia

A great week for beef cattle destined for Indonesia. Four Corners ran a report documenting the abuses and cruelty in several Indonesian abattoirs (here http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2011/s3228880.htm ) and the uproar was both proper and predictable. There has been reported a decline in meat sales and the live export trade to Indonesia has been suspended for "up to six months".

The export ban is going to hit those in the industry hard, particularly in the Northern Territory. A fierce debate is raging over the role of Meat and Livestock Corporations' lack of management of another jurisdiction. I get the sense that the dirty secret is now out and its time to blame someone so we can get some cash, cover it over and return to business as usual ASAP.

But the fun has only really begun. Several years ago the industry was faced with footage from Egypt showing cruelty perpetrated by amateurs. Once again a ban was implemented and then quietly dropped once the issue was out of the headlines. For those interested in the welfare of ALL beings there are a number of interesting dilemmas right now.

I dont think we will be able to have much influence on those who live in a totally different moral universe. Regions that require sacrifice for religious reasons wont be amenable to arguments of inherent suffering. Similarly where supply chains are much less developed than in the West it is sensible to slaughter and eat on the same day. "I would dearly like to know comparative food poisoning rates for chilled and fresh meat but that's a diversion" For those in the matrix it is hard to see beyond "animals as food".

What interests me more is the local response. I have heard numerous comments on various radio stations to the effect of "I will never eat meat again". A noble and appropriate sentiment. This will produce an industry backlash if the movement gathers real steam. Similarly to when Oprah declared she was turned off beef and GW Bush II introduced legislation banning criticism of the American beef industry there is a backlash coming against vegetarian/vegan sentiment. I expect the response will be similar to the current climate debate and the tactics will be similar. So if veganism becomes a popular lifestyle choice I expect retaliation. A couple of predictions for you all:

• Expect a media blitz. Images of hearty "beefy" blokes and thinly clad girls espousing the benefits of "good old red meat". It will be "un-Australian" to prefer plant foods over animal foods.
  
• Expect a concerted attack on the data supporting vegetarian and vegan choices. The collected science and wisdom of a cruelty free lifestyle will be ridiculed. Expect systematic denial and indirect attacks on those institutions providing health base non meat lifestyle advice.
  
• Expect a direct and personal attacks on Vegan and animal rights activists and animal rights organisations. Animals Australia can expect to have their laundry dragged through the press as can the RSPCA. If you thought Cate Blanchett coped it over climate change.....

The sensible way forward in my opinion is education. Real life education. Why not send seven, eight or nine year olds to an abattoir as a school excursion. City kids havent seen this appalling process so why not educate them so they can make an informed choice? While the excursion is on let them see animals fearful of the race, see the random abuse of the abattoir workers, smell the fresh methane from a cows arse and listen to the grieving of a mother as her children are stolen from her and she is reconfined to her milk producing role. Expose the cruelty for what it is. Some will harden up and desensitise. Hopefully the bulk wont. Because if you think the cruelty problems are isolated to those from a different moral universe you will be in for a big shock.