This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-41040790

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
The firemen's sausages that sparked strong emotions The firefighters' sausages that sparked strong emotions
(about 20 hours later)
Some firemen save a group of piglets from a barn fire - and are later rewarded with a gift of sausages made from the animals. It was a story that provoked strong emotion, from discomfort, through to disgust and exasperation. But what does this bizarre tale tell us about our attitudes to the consumption of meat? Some firefighters save a group of piglets from a barn fire - and are later rewarded with a gift of sausages made from the animals. It was a story that provoked strong emotion, from discomfort, through to disgust and exasperation. But what does this bizarre tale tell us about our attitudes to the consumption of meat?
Peter Sanchez-Iglesias, who was last week named the UK's best chef in the Good Food Guide 2018, believes that people being confronted with the reality of where their meat comes from can be challenging.Peter Sanchez-Iglesias, who was last week named the UK's best chef in the Good Food Guide 2018, believes that people being confronted with the reality of where their meat comes from can be challenging.
"I guess it did sound a bit weird for the firemen to eat the piglets, but then this is life, this is what happens - slaughtering of farm animals happens," says the Michelin-starred chef."I guess it did sound a bit weird for the firemen to eat the piglets, but then this is life, this is what happens - slaughtering of farm animals happens," says the Michelin-starred chef.
"It's a case of out of sight, out of mind. If people don't see the pigs they don't mind eating them, but if they see a piglet that reminds them of Babe then there's a chance they will change their mind.""It's a case of out of sight, out of mind. If people don't see the pigs they don't mind eating them, but if they see a piglet that reminds them of Babe then there's a chance they will change their mind."
A survey by the Vegan Society last year found that 3.25% of the UK population are now vegetarians, and that the number of vegans is growing rapidly.A survey by the Vegan Society last year found that 3.25% of the UK population are now vegetarians, and that the number of vegans is growing rapidly.
Siobhan Dolan from Viva!, which promotes veganism, believes the tale of the rescued piglets has helped to encourage consumers to consider where their food comes from.Siobhan Dolan from Viva!, which promotes veganism, believes the tale of the rescued piglets has helped to encourage consumers to consider where their food comes from.
"It takes issues like this to get people to take a step back and really think about what they are eating," she says."It takes issues like this to get people to take a step back and really think about what they are eating," she says.
She believes the information easily available online now allows consumers to "delve deeper into where their food comes from".She believes the information easily available online now allows consumers to "delve deeper into where their food comes from".
"A few years ago this would not have been newsworthy, but there has been a massive shift in consumer opinion.""A few years ago this would not have been newsworthy, but there has been a massive shift in consumer opinion."
While the firemen's barbecue was leapt upon as a chance by some to discuss the morality - or lack thereof - of meat eating, for meat and dairy farmers around the country, there was a collective placing of heads in hands. While the firefighters' barbecue was leapt upon as a chance by some to discuss the morality - or lack thereof - of meat eating, for meat and dairy farmers around the country, there was a collective placing of heads in hands.
Farming journalist Chris Rundle certainly shares this sense of exasperation.Farming journalist Chris Rundle certainly shares this sense of exasperation.
"My first reaction was 'what a ridiculous state of affairs this country has got itself into'," he says."My first reaction was 'what a ridiculous state of affairs this country has got itself into'," he says.
"You would have thought these firemen had been indulging in some form of cannibalism.""You would have thought these firemen had been indulging in some form of cannibalism."
He accepts there has been a shift in public opinion in recent years, and believes this is because of a failure to promote the health benefits of eating meat and dairy - an "information vacuum" he argues has been filled by the "big money" spent by vegan groups.He accepts there has been a shift in public opinion in recent years, and believes this is because of a failure to promote the health benefits of eating meat and dairy - an "information vacuum" he argues has been filled by the "big money" spent by vegan groups.
He also rejects the assertion that people are more aware of where their food comes from.He also rejects the assertion that people are more aware of where their food comes from.
"I've seen parents put their hands over their children's eyes when they have walked past a butcher's shop where carcasses are hanging."I've seen parents put their hands over their children's eyes when they have walked past a butcher's shop where carcasses are hanging.
"People don't want to see that, they don't want to handle meat, and these people are more susceptible to vegan ideology.""People don't want to see that, they don't want to handle meat, and these people are more susceptible to vegan ideology."
But for Siobhan Dolan, arguments that vegan groups are benefiting from a failure to better promote the virtues of eating meat are wide of the mark.But for Siobhan Dolan, arguments that vegan groups are benefiting from a failure to better promote the virtues of eating meat are wide of the mark.
"The food market has been dominated for a long time by the meat industry, which now feels threatened by our campaign," she says."The food market has been dominated for a long time by the meat industry, which now feels threatened by our campaign," she says.
"We are not forcing our opinions on people, we are just giving them the facts and showing them the reality of the meat industry.""We are not forcing our opinions on people, we are just giving them the facts and showing them the reality of the meat industry."
Minette Batters, deputy president of the NFU, agrees with Mr Rundle that consumers "don't want to know about the end-of-life stage" of how meat is produced, and says the distance between consumers and their food is greater than it has ever been.Minette Batters, deputy president of the NFU, agrees with Mr Rundle that consumers "don't want to know about the end-of-life stage" of how meat is produced, and says the distance between consumers and their food is greater than it has ever been.
"Farmers are upset about the reaction stories like this produce and are angry about how certain groups seek to impose their views on other people," she says."Farmers are upset about the reaction stories like this produce and are angry about how certain groups seek to impose their views on other people," she says.
"They feel threatened by the reaction on social media, which makes it look like there is a tide of opinion against them.""They feel threatened by the reaction on social media, which makes it look like there is a tide of opinion against them."
Mr Sanchez-Iglesias, the chef-patron of Casamia in Bristol, agrees with the argument that consumers are too "disconnected" from their food.Mr Sanchez-Iglesias, the chef-patron of Casamia in Bristol, agrees with the argument that consumers are too "disconnected" from their food.
"People don't want to think about where their food comes from; they don't want to eat pigs they can 'see'," he says."People don't want to think about where their food comes from; they don't want to eat pigs they can 'see'," he says.
"Meat used to be a luxury, and while it's nice that people can enjoy it more, we can't keep producing it in the intensive way it often is."Meat used to be a luxury, and while it's nice that people can enjoy it more, we can't keep producing it in the intensive way it often is.
"The more we educate kids to find out where their food comes from, the more they will respect meat and its real value."The more we educate kids to find out where their food comes from, the more they will respect meat and its real value.
"They will likely grow up to eat less of it and see it as a luxury, and we'll see a less emotional reaction to stories like this.""They will likely grow up to eat less of it and see it as a luxury, and we'll see a less emotional reaction to stories like this."
As for Rachel Rivers, the Wiltshire farmer whose donation of the sausages sparked the controversy, all she wants to do is make a living.As for Rachel Rivers, the Wiltshire farmer whose donation of the sausages sparked the controversy, all she wants to do is make a living.
"It's very difficult. Farming is what we do here: it's not an animal sanctuary and we don't have the animals for the fun of it."It's very difficult. Farming is what we do here: it's not an animal sanctuary and we don't have the animals for the fun of it.
"I do understand that some people don't eat meat, but some do, and farming is our life.""I do understand that some people don't eat meat, but some do, and farming is our life."