When I was 7, my aunt made me twist the neck of a chicken at her farm, before we bled it and cooked it for Sunday Lunch. This was my lesson from her as to where meat comes from and what it means when you take a mouthful of meat.

That covered me for many years, and allowed me to justify the meat that I was eating whilst being active in campaigning against the mistreatment of animals (for a few very disillusioning years)...

I am no vegitarian, nor do I beleive I ever could be. I have read up on battery farming (which is disgusting), and witness regularly trucks transporting animals in terrible conditions across Europe. Laws exist to protect these animals, the ability to enforce those laws (either in terms of money or available resources), does not exist, so the cruel treatment continues.

I try to buy organic and open farmed produce - but of course its so expensive that really it makes meat a luxury item. I still eat the occasional kebab made of processed lambs lips and toenails, and once or twice have even had the McNuggets (Chicken assholes and elbows). I don't, and nor should I, feel that much guilt.

For all the cruelty in the production of food - at least these animals are dying with a real purpose (to feed people), although as I previously mentioned, the ability for legal agencies to enforce the law needs to be put in place. Animals used for other testing, however, such as make-up and other items of human vanity, are, in my opinion dying for no reason other than human ego, so we can look good - that hardly seems justified.

Its an interesting debate when you talk to an "anti-meat-eater" Vegitarian, who still uses make-up, wears leather shoes and uses bathroom products.....!!

I respect the views on here tho - noone is trying to force the issue down someone elses throat - this is the way intelligent debate should be held!