Vegetarianism would increase the chance for long-term survival
of mankind
In the entire history of mankind there have only been a handful
of notable
statesmen who were vegetarians and seriously took a stand for
animal rights.
Even today there are very few. Slovenija is one of the few bright
lights in
the world of politics today. By giving this interview the president
Dr Janez
Drnovsek has for the first time expressed the message to people,
to start
thinking about unimaginable brutality that man is inflicting
upon animals.
Why did you become a vegetarian and what changes did you notice
as a result?
Because I feel vegetarian food is better, better quality. We
eat meat
because it's the way we had been brought up. I have been a vegetarian
for a
few years and just recently I have become a vegan, which means
I don't eat
milk, dairy products or eggs. There is still plenty of choice,
varied
vegetable foods, which are sufficient to our needs. I took this
step
following my inner feeling. Some people believe that vegan food
is very
limited and boring which is not true. It can be very diverse.
Was the main reason for changing your diet your serious illness
a few years
back?
That was the time I gradually started to change. First step
was omitting red
meat, then poultry and eventually fish.
After changing to vegetarian food do you feel better, healthier?
I feel great - they say I have too much energy.
On World protection of Animals Day (October 4th) you invited
members of
Society for Liberation of Animals and their rights for discussions.
What was
discussed?
I invited them mainly to try and convey the message to general
public to
coincide with this day. We don't always realise how we treat
animals, how we
manage them. They are live creatures. As I said people have
this set idea of
behaviour towards animals and as result very rarely question
what we
actually cause. If we think for a moment how man manages animals
and what
impact he has on animal world we could say he was not human
at all. Just
think of all slaughter houses and production of beef or poultry
where
conditions for animals are impossible. Animals are transported
in lorries
many times without any water which is extremly cruel. It is
not that people
are bad they just don't think about it. When the final product
is in front
of them on the plate they don't think what was it before and
how it got to
this stage.
So you decided to become a vegetarian on ethical grounds as
well?
The ethics are part of the reason; the other part is the fact
that humans
don't need the animal flesh. It is only thinking patterns we
follow that are
ingrained in us. It is probably really hard to change overnight,
but it can
be done gradually. This is how I did it.
You spoke against subsidising mass livestock farming in the
media. What was
your reason for this?
I believe it is foolish, that European Union's main priority
is one hundred
percent subsidy of farming especially meat products. The fact
that EU
subsidises mass production of meat and poultry is really the
main obstacle
from the ethics point of view. Not only that but also from the
point of view
of nutrition. We are frequently reminded by nature i.e. mad
cow disease,
recently swine fever, bird flu. It is obvious that something
is not as it
should be, something is disturbing the natures balance and that
should be a
warning to us all.
Vegetarian products in shops are more expensive than meat products,
which
does not encourage people to buy healthier food. Do you think
that more
people would stop eating meat if vegetarian option was cheaper?
That is a factor as well although I believe the main reason
to be awareness
of people. It is a question of making people aware of what is
happening and
what are they being part of. I think that is the key. That in
turn leads to
changes in politics i.e. agricultural policy, farming subsidies
and future
directions. Instead of using huge resources for mass meat production
we
should use it for organic farming of diverse produce from cereals,
pulses,
fruit and all the products that originate from these. This would
certainly
be kinder to nature as organic production means no use of chemical
fertilizers or additives. It would mean no pollution to the
environment and
no chemical additives in our food. We consume these chemicals
every day in
our food and they are harmful. But behind all this are the interests
of big
manufacturers, lobbies, huge profits which are the driving force
for these
food manufacturers' conglomerates. Nonetheless I believe that
awareness of
people continues to increase in our country and in EU. People
are more and
more searching for natural alternatives; they are turning to
nature and
becoming more aware of problems regarding animals and animal
products.
Would you on the basis of your own experiences recommend people
to try
vegetarianism?
If I do it myself I can't see a reason why I wouldn't recommend
it to
others. I have no complaints as I said; I have more energy than
I need. If
nothing else I am living proof that you can survive without
meat and meat
products.
How do you view the fact that we all have to pay the same national
insurance
contributions? It is well known that vegetarians are a lot healthier
and
therefore don't use the health service as frequently.
This is a wider problem; the whole concept could be different.
I don't think
that is a valid point, because there should be some solidarity,
where
healthy people help those, who are unwell. It is true however
that everyone
is responsible for their own health. If we consumed less harmful
and
unhealthy food, we would considerably lessen the financial burden
on our
health service. Of course it is not in everybody's interest
if that were to
happen. What would happen to pharmaceutical industries, huge
multinational
companies which make billions from sick people? What
is your view on hunting?
Hunting as killing animals in the name of sport is unethical.
If you are
referring to the part of the hunting organization that looks
after nature
environment and wild animals, for example helping with feeding
in the
winter - it is very useful. Hunting which is by definition
just chasing and
killing of animals is of course completely unethical.
What is your opinion on live animal testing?
This is a well known dilemma which has recently been in forefront
of
politics in Europe, in Great Britain. You have to ask yourself
would you
like it if you were the subject of such testing. During the
second world war
my father was an inmate in the concentration camp in Dachau,
where he was
subjected to such medical experiments together with thousands
other people.
He didn't like it one bit. Some people would say it is necessary
for the
progress of science but I am sure that in most cases alternative
methods can
be used without the need for animal testing.
Where do you think the brutal treatment of animals
originates?
It comes from low level of people's awareness.
And looking historically?
It is difficult to pinpoint the exact time in history. It
is a question of
respecting life in general. Animals are live creatures with
feelings.
Everyone who has a domestic animal or a pet knows that animals
have
feelings. The world's religions often speak about respecting
life but they
only mean human life and sometimes not even that. Looking
back in the Middle
Ages Catholics proclaimed for a long time that native Red
Indians which were
enslaved by the Spanish and Portuguese do not have a soul.
This meant that
they weren't treated as living creatures with feelings. Then
they changed
their mind and proclaimed that black people don't have souls.
Centuries of
black slavery followed. All this happened with the blessing
of the Church.
Today nobody accepts this anymore. We can see how historical
conscience of
people is changing despite the opposing views from some institutions
at
different points in time.
It's nearly Christmas. For millions of people it is time for
happiness, love
and peace. For millions of animals it is a time of terrible
cruelty at
slaughter so that our tables can be laden with carcases. And
all this to
celebrate the birth of a man who loved animals, protected
them and didn't
kill them.
What is your view on this?
Jesus would be turning in his grave if he knew that mass slaughter
of
animals is carried out every year in his name. His deliverance
is based on
absolute respect of life and it is very difficult to imagine
that he would
accept millions of living creatures being killed in his honour.
Are you aware that all vegetarians (including you) are cursed
by the Church
and are condemned to eternal hell?
Fortunately people who say this don't decide who goes to hell
and who
doesn't.
All the world leaders always emphasise their endeavours for
world peace. Do
you think peace is connected to our relationship to animals
and nourishment
of people without the need for killing? Tolstoy said "As
long as there are
slaughter houses there will be wars"
If a person's conscience is highly developed they will not
kill or be cruel
to animals. You can not expect from such person to go to war
and kill people
for a profit. People who do not kill and eat animals have
a greater chance
of finding a way to live in peace in harmony. Everything is
interconnected
in one's conscience. On a higher level one comes with the
other. Making
people more aware is the key.
How do world's politicians view this?
The world's politicians are no more aware of this than most
people. I have
noticed that in many cases ordinary people are ahead of politicians.
We see
a lot of non govermental organizations championing causes
that are not
priorities of governments. Be it our treatment of animals,
environment or
climate change. This push for change is coming from ordinary
members of
society. When the critical mass of people accepts an idea,
when majority of
people expect and demand change only then will the politics
respond. Sadly
politicians are not the ones to encourage others to be conscious
but instead
they follow public opinion of the moment. When they see the
public support
slipping they reassess their priorities.
Tolstoy is just one of many "great minds" of mankind,
who publicly spoke for
vegetarianism. Let me name a few: Pythagoras, Leonardo da
Vinci, Nikola
Tesla, Albert Einstein, and Mahatma Ghandi..These people are
recognized for
their great works and achievements, they are often quoted
in recognition of
their genius. Why do you think that mankind does not want
to hear about
animals and vegetarianism from these great people for example
this daring
saying from Albert Einstein "Nothing will increase our
chances of survival
on Earth as significantly as will switching to vegetarian
food."
How would you comment on this quote from the genius
physicist?
Certainly the chances of long-term survival of mankind would
increase.
Everything is connected. Better quality food is somehow connected
with
higher level of consciousness. It is a parallel process if
we can do one we
can do the other. However it is unreasonable to expect from
people with
lower levels of consciousness who are cruel to animals, to
end wars, to stop
manipulating others, to help eradicate world poverty. In short
as long as
consciousness level is low all the disagreements in the world
today will
remain and possibly increase to the point of annihilation
of humans.
Are the people who say they love animals, but they
eat meat, real animal lovers?
I think that people do love animals, their pets, but somehow
they
automatically eat other animals. If they had to slaughter
a cow before they
could have a steak, they would think twice. Meat products
are so altered in
appearance that people don't associate them with real animals.
Some ladies wear animal fur in winter.
What is your view on this fashion industry?
Again it's the question of consciousness of people. People
often
automatically accept the behavioural patterns without questioning
them. Only
when you question something, you can change your point of
view and become
more aware of what you are buying.
Where do people get the right to slaughter, incarcerate
and torture animals
and at the same time demand peace and all the rights for themselves?
Is this
sanctioned in the constitution?
It is not sanctioned as such, of course the lawyers and legislators
will
tell you it is not barred; but it is indeed assumed it is
legitimate.
From unofficial source I've heard that even your dog
Brodi is vegetarian. Is it true?
You've been informed well. You'd better ask him personally.
I'm not
authorised to answer in his name. (laughing)
Resource: Magazine Liberation of animals, january 2006,
Edited by The Society for the Rights and the Liberation of
Animals,
Slovenia, info@osvoboditev-zivali.org , www.osvoboditev-zivali.org
Damjan Likar |
