Ethical Veganism: what is it and how it is different?

Ethical veganism is a philosophical belief that is against any kind of animal exploitation. And it protects, raises voice and awareness in regard to animal exploitation. And is only dependent on a plant diet.

Vegans want to treat animals in the same way as they treat humans. Continuing on a vegan diet and using products that are devoid of animal products is the ultimate aim of life. Now, it has become a way of living their life.

The employment tribunal rules in the United Kingdom that “ethical veganism” will come under philosophical belief. Also, British law prevents any kind of discrimination who follow or practice veganism.

Jordi Casamitjana, a vegan zoologist, come up with the case. Claiming that he expels from an animal welfare charity- The League Against Cruel Sports. Because this organization invests its funds in those company that exploits animals for testing.

From past examples, animals such as rats, pigs, and monkeys are useful in scientific experiments. But be cautious, it offers minimum suffering to the animals on paper. Where the ground reality can be something else, who knows?

British Equality Act

Jordi casamitjana raises the concern that a large amount from the investment of “The League against Cruel Sports. ” From its pension funds for animal testing. However, insisting on a ban on fox hunting or any other recreational form of hunting.

And because of this, the employment tribunal gives judgment that whether veganism is a religious belief or it is a philosophical belief. Finally, the tribunal found in their test and criteria that ethical veganism is a philosophical belief. Hence, protect the needs under the British Equality Act, 2010.

Many vegans and vegetarians claim that discrimination happens with them at their workplace. As they don’t eat meat & non-vegetarians mock them.

So the tribunal finally dismisses the case. By stating that veganism or vegetarianism is a lifestyle choice. Thus no one forces to eat meat. While one is free for his choice of what to eat and not.

The main difference between ethical vegetarianism and ethical veganism this that people from the first category do not eat animal meat. Whereas vegans do not even use animal products in addition to meat consumption.

Vegans don’t even consider dairy milk nor do eggs as it is an animal product. They also believe that animals should not indulge in any kind of exploitation.

In Ethical Vegetarianism, people are against animal exploitation. They don’t use the products that produce after killing animals. But in Ethical veganism, they believe that whether an animal kills or exploits, they are not going to use that product. Whether it is food or other consumables.

The handbook for ethical veganism defines veganism as the lifestyle. In which a person does not eat animal meat nor use any animal products other than consuming.

Signs of being an ethical vegan can be as follows:

• If the diet of the person is consists of only vegan food and restricts him to the food manipulated with any kind of animal source ingredients.
• In addition to a vegan diet, if the person is not consuming any products as clothes, shoes, bags, and other stationery items that are a result of animal products.
• If the person does not feel comfortable and objects to any activity that involves violence to animals.
• Will prefer to stay hungry if don’t get vegan food.
• Keeps him/herself out of any gatherings where non vegetarian food is served.
• Is against of activity like an animal fight, animal races, zoos, or any event involves animal activity for human leisure.
• Treats animals in the same way as humans are treated.
• Will not do any task that is degrading the environment and will look for an alternative eco friendly solution.
• Participates in campaigns and marches related to animal exploitation.
• Motivates others to adopt vegan food and lifestyle.
• Will prefer to stay in the company of other vegans.

Omnivores in general are those who consume both animal source and plant source food in their diet. But in ethical omnivorism, people consume some animal products and restrict other animal products. For eg. a person eats chicken but does eat beef due to his ethical reason.

Ethical veganism upon further classification can be grouped into:

Through this act, people will not be discriminated against on the basis of what they eat and their eating habits at their workplace.

Any kind of discrimination whether it is direct or indirect or any kind of harassment or victimization in services or public works will not be tolerated.

The “belief” defined according to this act can be religious or philosophical and will be granted protection for their belief.

In a documentary named Cows Piracy it has been shown that being a vegan how can a person economically, in a year can save:

1. 1.5 million lt of water.
2. 6600 kgs of grains
3. 1022 sqmt of forest area

Along with this carbon emission will be reduced and more animal life will be saved.

Whether a person is a vegan or not, it is his personal choice what to eat, drink and wear unless and until his practices do not harm other social and moral values, and discrimination done to him in his workplace, at home, or in society is not justified.

If a Vegan lifestyle is productive to our mother nature and helping in optimum use of our resources then we should not have an issue with that. Though vegans are outnumbered, if the ethics are morally good they will reach their desired place.