Here’s a reality check: in recent years, there’s been a shift in people’s sensitivities. The efforts of animal welfare organizations, the impact of documentaries on veganism, and a general awakening to the need for change have made more people contemplate the ethical implications of their dietary choices. It’s a significant stride forward, albeit one fraught with inconsistencies: why do we stop eating animals that make us feel compassionate, such as rabbits, horses, or lambs, while ignoring the suffering of countless others?
During Easter, a growing number of individuals report abstaining from lamb, sidelining tradition for environmental and ethical concerns. This isn’t a new trend: according to Istat, lamb consumption dropped by 50% from 2010 to 2016, with a more gradual yet steady decrease since. In 2021, the demand for lamb during Easter fell by 35%, and it looks like this trend is here to stay.
Easter and lamb: a disturbing tradition
Perhaps it’s because lambs are seen as vulnerable young that people are susceptible to their slaughter. Their lives are short and grim, echoing the fate of animals in factory farms: lambs are taken from their mothers at about a month old and slaughtered soon after that while their meat is still tender. Animal welfare groups have extensively documented the brutality of slaughter practices: “In our numerous investigations, we’ve seen many lambs slaughtered without proper stunning, meaning they experience the cut while fully conscious,” representatives from Essere Animali organizations report.
This grim reality applies across the board in factory farming: mostly, all animals destined for slaughter are young, often killed just months into their lives. This practice is driven by the demand for meat and dairy within an industry that operates at breakneck speed. For instance, the average lifespan of cattle in these facilities is 6-24 months, as opposed to a natural lifespan of 20 years. Pigs are slaughtered at 6-11 months old, despite a natural lifespan of about 15 years, and chickens are given a mere 90 days compared to the 8-10 years they might live in the wild.
Tradition’s heavy toll
More people are feeling uneasy about eating lamb and are choosing to forgo this Easter tradition in favor of plant-based alternatives. While this is encouraging, the transition is far from widespread, with a significant number of consumers still adhering to tradition.
Traditions define cultures, making them recognizable worldwide and preserving community memory. Their importance cannot be overstated, yet outdated practices that are harmful to humans, animals, and the environment continue to be justified in the name of tradition.
Speciesism, carnism, and the call for change
Another critical issue is the pervasive speciesist mindset: the belief that humans, due to their supposed superiority, have more rights than other animals. This flawed belief underpins our actions and justifications for treating animals as mere objects meant to satisfy human needs.
Melanie Joy, an American psychologist, has shed light on this with her theory of carnism – the ideology that eating meat is normal, natural, and necessary. This unquestioned belief perpetuates tradition without real awareness or reflection.
Animal exploitation is such an ingrained practice in our society that it often goes unnoticed, serving as the backdrop for virtually every one of our daily activities. Yet, in a civilized society, nonhuman animals should enjoy a set of inalienable rights that make no distinction between “A animals” and “B animals,” ensuring equal dignity and respect for all.
Our mission in 2024 is to bridge the gap and pave the way for a better future for ourselves, animals, and the planet. Choosing not to eat lamb at Easter could be the first step toward embracing a vegan lifestyle. It’s our decision which traditions define us and which belong to a bygone era that we’re better off leaving behind.
