If debate doesn't happen on our food, we end up in an echo chamber

Change brings a new focus and AgriAware will have change now with the appointment of their new executive director, Marcus O’Halloran. He mentioned to me that some of the top female Instagrammers in Ireland advocate a vegan diet. His concern was the influence that these women, can have on dietary choices. And how we, as an industry, combat this. I duly had a look on the social media platform and although I couldn’t remember all the names that he mentioned, I was aware of three and between them they have over 500,000 followers. There is no denying that they are all very beautiful.

She didn’t mention anything about the environment or animal welfare

But I would suggest respectfully that, aside from their diet choices, being blessed genetically, is also a factor. However, one’s genetics are not changeable, one’s diet is, and for their followers this can drive decision making. One of these bloggers Roz Purcell (from Clonmel) was promoting her new book on the radio over the weekend No Fuss Vegan. She didn’t mention anything about the environment or animal welfare. In fact, she was not negative at all really. But it was there, underlying in the conversation – “vegan is healthier”. It was almost subliminal.

I have learned a lot over the last two weeks listening to speakers on the topic of diet, climate change and health

In 1957, a market researcher named James Vicary inserted the words “Eat Popcorn” and “Drink Coca-Cola” into a movie and subliminal advertising was born. The words appeared for a single frame, just long enough for the subconscious to pick up, but too short for the viewer to be aware of it – allegedly. The Consumer Information Act 1978, makes it an offence to publish any advertisement that is likely to mislead and thereby cause loss, damage or injury to members of the public to a material degree. And yet this underlying commentary that nutritionally “vegan is healthier” continues to spread. Last week we featured a positive Instagrammer for ag, and you can find her with the handle @annatrues. I have learned a lot over the last two weeks listening to speakers on the topic of diet, climate change and health. On Countrywide last week Professor Alice Stanton, RCSI, was advocating a balanced diet for health.

The conversation is polarised and I think that the way we are being marketed plays a role

And for some, this means cutting down on meat if consuming over the recommendations. Two eminent scientists presented in Ireland this week. Professor Frank Mitloehner from UC Davis in California and Professor Frédéric Leroy from the Vrije University in Brussels. They argued the case for meat both environmentally and nutritionally.

The conversation is polarised and I think that the way we are being marketed plays a role. I try to follow both sides of the debate, although I feel the anti-side is given more column inches and air play. The danger is that if we don’t hear both sides, we are not “search engine optimised” for a balanced argument and end up in an echo chamber.

It was disappointing that some of the advocates to reduce meat production and consumption chose not to partake or engage with the visiting scientists

This is where we encounter only beliefs or opinions that coincide with our own, thereby sold the story we want to read, further polarising the debate. It was disappointing that some of the advocates to reduce meat production and consumption chose not to partake or engage with the visiting scientists. The IFA-organised Frank Mitloehner event was open to public registration and MSD, who brought Professor Leroy over, asked nine people to speak to the opposing view at their events and none were available. Instead they remained in their echo chamber on social media. And the gap widens.

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