#060 On Eating Meat
A regenerative systems view, with SBS TV’s ‘Gourmet Farmer’, chef & author, Matthew Evans
Matthew Evans is a chef, farmer, host of the popular TV series Gourmet Farmer, and most recently the author of ‘On Eating Meat – the truth about its production, and the ethics of eating it’. The publisher calls it ‘A scorching manifesto on the ethics of eating meat by the best placed person to write about it.’
This is a book and conversation that I’ve so been wanting to have. Whether you’re a meat eater, vegan or somewhere in between, this will change how you see things. And if Matthew has his way – and I hope he does – it’ll open up vast new possibilities for constructive dialogue, and truly vital systemic change.
Matthew Evans and friends at Fat Pig Farm in Tasmania. Pic: supplied.
“The really important thing to remember is any vibrant, resilient ecosystem has animals in it. And farming, good modern farming, should be a resilient ecosystem. Most of it’s not, but it can be.”
Personally, I’ve been a meat eater, vegetarian, vegan, and now a meat eater again – but in a much different way than before. If you’ve been listening to this podcast for a while, you’ll be across some of my journey.
The matter of meat is massive, when it comes to the health of people, other animals, and the planet as a whole. Our summer fires here, and COVID-19 everywhere, bring that home even more. In that context, I felt compelled to allocate plenty of time to this one. I hope you find this time worth your while too.
Ordinarily, of course, I would love to have met up with Matthew in person on the Farm - it’s always so much more vivid when the place gets to speak too. But we’re blessed nonetheless to be able to connect online, across closed borders.
This episode was recorded online on 14 April 2020.
Get more:
The book ‘On Eating Meat: The truth about its production and the ethics of eating it’.
For the Love of Meat documentary TV series.
Theme music:
The System, by the Public Opinion Afro Orchestra.