Whether your fridge is filled with almond milk or your freezer is brimming with steaks, veganism is steadily rising. Countrywide’s Damien O’Reilly spoke with Sandra Higgins from Go Vegan Ireland about the increase in veganism, what it means for farmers and what the future might look like.
Sandra described what veganism is to her.
“Veganism is the belief that it’s wrong to inflict unnecessary harm on other animals. All our use of other animals is unnecessary and all our use of them harms them…it translates into vegans not using other animals for any reason. We use plant alternatives…We see other animals as equally sentient beings who have feelings and who value their own lives.”
As well as not eating meat or dairy, Sandra told Damien that vegans typically wouldn't participate as spectators at events like horse-racing and would avoid leather and wool products.
“We believe in this myth that humans are superior to other animals and that we have a right to control the natural world. We don’t have that right and the natural world is beginning to fight back and show us very clearly that we don't have that right.”
Damien accused Sandra of doing Irish farmers a “disservice” in how she speaks about them at international conferences. She believes her views are fair.
“Ireland is a wonderful example because it epitomises the humane myth”.
Listen back to the whole conversation on Countrywide here.