A = Animal Friendly – avoiding abuse

We have responsibilities from God for looking after animals (Lk. 12.6). Abundant life for all demands that we produce our food in ways which nurture that life.

Animal welfare

Animal welfare is neglected when eggs, dairy products, meat and fish are produced using intensive farming methods and long distance lorry transport. Animals are sensate/sentient beings and feel pain and suffer when ill-treated. Carbon and methane emissions from animal farming are boosting climate change.

Abuse of creation

Farming animals can also abuse creation. Animal agriculture is responsible for at least 14.5% of greenhouse gas emissions (many reports put it higher than this) and half of the world’s habitable land is used for agriculture, with most of this used to raise livestock for dairy and meat. Research suggests that if everyone shifted to a plant-based diet, we would reduce global land use for agriculture by 75%. Imagine what this could do for the flourishing of God’s creation in our nature-depleted world! Have a look at this graph showing the land use of various foods here.

All of us, whether vegan, vegetarian or meat-eater, can follow the ‘A’ of the LOAF principles. We can choose to eat less meat and to buy higher welfare meat. We will be respecting and nurturing the creatures that God made.

See our guest blog by Professor David Clough on the Christian ethics of farmed animal welfare.

Tip: beware of confusing labels, ‘Red Tractor’ means very little in terms of welfare. Instead look out for “free range” or “outdoor reared/bred”. Organically reared animals are subject to the strictest and best welfare regulations.

LOAF stands for food that is Locally produced, Organically grown, Animal friendly or Fairly traded.