Veganfallacies

Stephen Jardine’s article “Veganism and Brexit show how divided we are” (21 January) demonstrates the muddled thinking behind the vegan agenda.

If everyone were to go vegan domestic animals would not be “saved” – they would not exist. If cows and sheep have no economic value they will not be kept. Since most of Scotland is not suitable for arable cropping, Scotland’s land would cease to produce food.

I can respect the position of those who really dislike eating flesh, but the animal welfare argument that all meat comes via some cruel global meat industry is nonsense.

If that’s the concern then the consumer should be discerning about the source of the meat. The lamb chops which worry Stephen Jardine will have come from animals reared naturally on grass and if they are Scottish will be traceable and reared to high welfare standards.

I will never forget 2001 when Dumfries and Galloway was hit by Foot and Mouth Disease. Every day as I travelled to work I saw more empty fields as farmers lost their livestock. There is nothing uplifting about a countryside devoid of domestic animals.

JOAN MITCHELL Bagbie, Newton Stewart