The Vegan Controversy: What is it all about?

As all of us hear somewhere something about the vegan controversy in the news or over social media. In the following article, we are gonna discuss what is vegan controversy is all about?

In a recent vegan controversy between PETA (People group of ethical treatment for animals) and Amul. Peta files an allegation on Amul India that the milk they provide is an act of animal cruelty. And demanding to stop this animal cruelty with immediate effect. Further with an urge to move towards plant milk.

And this is a very subjective opinion for both sides. Because some people will agree with vegans. Whereas others will be in favor of veggies and meat. But it only depends on your perspective.

According to the PETA, the majority of the world population is lactose intolerant (the condition in which our stomach is not able to digest the sugar in the form of lactose). Creating the problem of bloating, gas, indigestion, etc. Generally, common people take this condition of lactose intolerance casually. Lately, the perception of cow milk is good for health is changing. Since some research shows that carbon emission is more from animal products.

Still, the vegan industry is insisting the animal products industry shift from dairy products to plant products. Basically, with certain examples which are going vegan:

• Unilever, which is one of the world’s largest ice cream makers starts making vegan products.
• Use of steroids in animals to force them to produce more milk than their capacity.
• Using animals for sports.
• Experimentation in the lab.

As per PETA,

PETA publishes several reports on their website that cow milk is unhealthy. Although this milk is a source of nutrition for thousands of years.

Next, PETA says that drinking cow milk is cruel. Justifying by saying that the production of cow milk on a large scale and animals are being injected with steroids. Yet extracting milk forcefully from them. Similarly in India, some local dairy workers use steroids on animals for maximum milk production. Primarily the cow milk is for their offspring. Not for human consumption and their focus is primarily on vegan milk.

Another topic for vegan controversy

Here is another topic of vegan controversy is that vegans are keeping farm animals in one place in a large number. This can lead to zoonotic diseases (the diseases which transfer from animals to humans and vice-versa). As well as viruses & recently add the causes of Covid pandemic is from animal meat consumption. But there is no satisfactory confirmation about this.

Since vegans believe that the chances of zoonotic diseases will reduce to a large extent. If there is a decrease in the consumption of animal products. Veganism goes with the concept that if torturing humans considering inhuman. Then in the same way using animals for self-benefit is also an act of torture. Ultimately, the aim of vegans is to stop the use of animal products. For this, they focus on areas such as:

Focus Areas of Vegan Controversy

• Experiment on animals in the lab
• Dairy and food industry
• Leather industry
• Textile industry
• Entertainment businesses such as circus, zoo

In precise, the vegan concern states the consumption of animal source diet is ethically wrong, unhealthy for humans. And it’s also a sign of cruelty which ultimately can lead to the spreading of animal diseases in humans.

Therefore, in 2014, a study conducted in India disclosing 71 % of Indians above 15 years of age are non-vegetarian. Whereas many consumers in India are now guilty of having non-veg food.

In an across-country survey, by GFI and Bath University in 2019. Stating that more than 60 % of Indians are in favor of purchasing soy meat for their daily consumption. Although the vegans are aware of its diverse food culture. Still, they believe that we can bring this change by changing the mindset of the people towards veganism.

However, Peta India urges the dairy cooperative giant: Amul that the dairy industry. That they should take benefit from the vegan food and milk market. As in a letter written to RS Sodhi, MD, Amul India, Peta India urge that Amul should adopt the vegan milk market. So as to utilize the plant resources and respond to consumer demand change.

Wherein response to this, Mr. Sodhi says what will happen to 100 million farmers? Genetically modifying soya milk, the average Indian family can’t afford it. And from where will you provide the employment of 100 million people.

Though, vegan milk cost is higher in comparison to cow milk. On average vegan milk costs around 80-100 Rs per lit. Whereas dairy milk costs around 40-60 rs per litre. Because this milk is actually made from soya beans. It has the following variety:

Varieties of Milk

1. Almond week
2. Coconut milk
3. Rice milk

While the main problem with milk is that is costly & lower-middle-class families cannot afford it. Consider making milk from almonds which is costly in itself, yet not economically feasible. Other than this vegan milk does not create that much employment in comparison to cow milk. Since the production of vegan milk is in factories. Which takes away the farmers’ employment. So, this concern has still limiting us to adopt vegan milk.

Observations of PETA

Now it is observable that PETA accuses the dairy and meat industry. But their criticism for food giants such as McDonald’s, KFC, and Dominos never witnesses. Nor does PETA urge them to shift to vegan food.

Adding some out of the context arguments by vegans that if humans want to consume animal milk only. Then why don’t they take it from a dog, cat, or any other animal? Why only cow milk, further adding that cow milk is for her calves. Similarly, a dog or cat milk is for her pups and kittens respectively.

After a certain age, there is no need for cow milk for human nutrition. In response to this claim, animal milk consumers keep their point that Vegans really don’t know about the cow. Though the production of the milk by a cow is more than necessary by her calves. As excessive milk can also lead to indigestion.

Overview

Actually, milk is also a symbol of faith, ritual, and tradition from centuries in some cultures, such as in India. That’s why PETA’s claim of multiple opportunities for billions of farmers. Most of them who are landless, in the vegan milk industry is just a gimmick. Moreover, genetically modifying milk is produced in factories & thus marketed by MNCs. Cattle farming has not just been a primary source of milk products. But also an arrangement for natural fertilizers as manure, plowing in fields, etc.

India has got the 17% of the total of the world’s livestock with being the largest producer of milk in the world. With around 22% milk production, India’s milk production has grown by 35.61% in the last 6 years. Reaching 198.4 million tonnes from 146.3 million tonnes. Also, India has come a long way from a milk deficit economy to a milk surplus economy. Through the assistance of the green revolution.

Further, India’s dairy industry is on a substantial rise and still continuing to scale new heights in the dairy industry. Under which the contribution by dairy cooperatives such as AMUL is significant. To achieve this milestone, improve the livelihoods of cattle farmers through “Operation flood”.

With the conventional methods, the farmers are making their own development. Hence controlling their resources on their own. Although the White Revolution results in the “production by masses concept” (in this small units in bulk contribute for multiple organizations) rather than mass production.

Currently holding the world’s largest livestock, India produces around 5.3 million tonnes of animal meat. And also 75 billion eggs in a year. Plus, being the largest producer of beef and 2nd largest producer of mutton. Along with this the poultry Industry, India is the highest vertically integrated industry in India. Also, the 2nd largest meat consumer in the world.

Accordingly, Amul still stands up on their say that dairy products are still important for the national economy, farmers, and for the common people. Completely shifting on vegan milk will compel the ordinary family to skip tea & other dairy products from their daily menu.

Vegan controversy is even saying that vegans want to break the monopoly of the dairy industries in the market. Because India alone contributes 22% of the total world’s milk production. To tarnish the image of the dairy industries; the creation of these false hypes occurs in the market.

On the other hand, the vegans claim that the dairy industry is itself contributing to the growth of slaughterhouses. Though the cattle farmers either sell their cattle or leave them to abandon. After it is not profitable to them. Next, they question the society, who objects to veganism that why aren’t these cattle get further shelter?

Forbes says:

As per Forbes, India is the largest market for animal and dairy products. Has the capability and opportunity to hold the vegan controversy market. Under this concern of who is right and wrong, it totally depends on one’s perspective. I just wanna conclude by saying:

“Eating meat is a personal choice”