The New Zealand Centre for Human-Animal Studies (NZCHAS) welcomes you to the following seminar:

“MEAT CULTURE AND THE RHETORIC OF SUSTAINABILITY”

Speakers:

Éilis Espiner, Master of Policy and Governance with Distinction, candidate for the PhD in Human-Animal Studies @ NZCHAS

Professor Annie Potts (Cultural Studies), Co-director of NZCHAS

Professor Nik Taylor (Human Services), Co-director of NZCHAS

ABSTRACT: Climate change and the need to feed an ever increasing human population demand significant changes in the way we produce food. Research consistently demonstrates that adopting a plant-based, or vegan, diet would significantly help address this vital issue. Despite this, consumption of meat and dairy continues to grow aided in part by sustainability rhetoric that urges superficial changes to animal agricultural practices rather than abolition, and those speaking out against the consumption of meat and dairy often face ridicule and anger. We consider these issues within the framework of ‘meat culture’ – the idea that animal agriculture, human consumption of its products, and a wilful ignorance of its effects on the animals caught in its processes, are so normalised within many cultures as to be virtually invisible.

Tuesday 26 September from 1230-2pm in Link 309.

Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha/University of Canterbury