As a boy growing up in New Zealand, I enjoyed living in a land of under 2 million people. The livestock population on the other hand was enormous in comparison. There were 30 million sheep munching away over the countryside and 5 million cattle.
In 2020 some figures came out and there are now 5 million people, 27 million sheep (which is a drop from 40 million sheep in the year 2000), and 37 million dairy cattle, beef cattle and deer.
What does this mean
It means that combined with forestry, New Zealand is still essentially an agricultural country and the wealth of the country is reliant largely on the export of meat from the growing of these animals. In 2021 the meat industry generated 10 billion dollars NZ in revenue.
As well as animals being slaughtered and processed in various abattoirs and meat processing plants around the country, live exports became commonplace over recent years with millions of animals being crowded onto ships for the Middle East and various other destinations. Many don’t survive the trip and when ships sometimes sink or are delayed, thousands are drowned or die of exhaustion.
Live exports banned
From April of 2023, all live animal exports were finally banned, and meat processing is now confined to the shores of New Zealand, making this country one of the largest meat producing countries per capita on the planet.
Ironically, the price for meat and dairy products in New Zealand is very high with the local population not benefitting, directly anyway, from the enormous amount of meat production occurring on the land.
Plant based diets are gaining popularity
As a result of the high cost of meat and dairy in New Zealand and because of the perceived horrors of the meat industry, many are turning to a plant based diet for their daily nutrients.
The truth that many in New Zealand and other places around the world are beginning to understand, is that Humans can survive very well without farming animals. In fact, many people on the planet already follow plant-based diets, and there are a growing number of vegan and vegetarian options available in supermarkets and restaurants.
Plant-based diets can provide all the necessary nutrients for human health, including protein, iron, calcium, and vitamin B12. However, it’s important to ensure that a plant-based diet is well-planned and balanced, with a variety of foods to meet nutrient requirements.
That being said, animal farming has been a significant part of human history and culture for thousands of years, and it continues to play an important role in many economies and communities around the world. If there is to be a transition away from animal farming toward a more crop based economy, it would require significant changes to global food systems.
The morality of meat production
Humans are classified as animals within the scientific classification system, but the term “cannibalism” is generally used to describe the act of one member of a species consuming another member of the exact same species. Since humans are a distinct species from other animals commonly consumed for food, such as cows, pigs, and chickens, eating their meat is not usually considered cannibalism.
However, some people argue that the ethical implications of killing and consuming animals for food are similar to those of cannibalism, as both involve taking the life of another sentient being for sustenance. This is one reason some people choose to follow plant-based diets or avoid certain types of animal products. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to consume animal products is a personal one, and it depends on individual beliefs, values, and cultural traditions.
Insects
Insects are also a type of animal. In fact, insects are the largest group of animals, comprising approximately 80% of all known animal species. Insects are invertebrates, which means they do not have a backbone, and they are characterized by their segmented bodies, three pairs of legs, and often, wings. Some common examples of insects include ants, bees, butterflies, moths, flies, and beetles. While some insects are considered pests due to their potential to damage crops or spread disease, many insects play important roles in ecosystems as pollinators, decomposers, and food sources for other animals. In some cultures, insects are also consumed as a food source, although this is less common in Western societies.
In recent years, (especially by those invested in the Globalist Agenda) there has been growing interest in using insects as a sustainable and environmentally friendly source of protein, as they require fewer resources (such as land, water, and feed) to produce than traditional livestock. Insect farms, also known as “entomofarms” or “insectaries”, raise insects for human consumption and other purposes. Commonly farmed insect species include crickets, mealworms, and black soldier flies, which are used to produce a variety of products such as protein powders, snacks, and baked goods.
Insects carry parasites
Some insects can carry parasitic worms or their eggs, which can be transmitted to humans if the infected insects are consumed or come into contact with food or water that is later consumed by humans. For example, fleas and lice can carry tapeworm eggs, and mosquitoes can transmit filarial worms that cause diseases such as river blindness and lymphatic filariasis. Horsehair worms are parasitic worms that are known to infect and manipulate the behavior of certain insect species, including crickets. Horsehair worms are not true worms, but rather belong to a group of invertebrates known as nematomorphs. These horsehair worms even have the ability to effect the nervous system of a host, essentially manipulating its mind.
While this has been a brief look at the practice of animal farming, there is a huge amount more that could be discussed in the area of farming for sustenance.