Commentary

I think it is wrong to judge another human being because they make choices that are different than the choices that I make. If an adult chooses a vegetarian diet, who am I to tell them they have made a poor choice? I respect a person’s right to choose their own diet and I expect the same respect in return. I find it hard to believe that anyone who is well-informed about overall health and nutrition would make that choice, but nonetheless, it is their choice to make.

I do, however, have a problem with any federal agency allowing an individual government employee to promote said employee’s lifestyle and/or agenda through government information channels.

Last week, an intern at the Office of Children’s Health Protection – a sophomore studying non-profit management at Indiana University – was allowed to promote an anti-meat agenda on Greenversations, the official blog of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In the post, titled “Living Without Meat” the intern promotes going meatless because of environmental and animal welfare concerns. Citing her dislike of the taste of meat and her personal “ethics against killing animals” this intern took advantage of the EPA soapbox to opine what she perceives as “environmental impacts that occur due to the production of meat, including air pollution due to dust and liquid manures; fossil fuels, water, and land over-use; rainforest erosion and destruction for pasture land; water contamination due to animal waste; and grain and corn grown for animal feed instead of addressing world hunger.”

I believe even interns are entitled to their own opinion, and yes, there is a disclaimer displayed clearly on the blog: “The opinions and comments expressed in Greenversations are those of the authors alone and do not reflect an Agency policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy of the contents of the blog.”

However, EPA is a government agency and the general perception of those reading the blog is that what is written there is an official position.

As farmers and ranchers who are regulated by the EPA, we should be appalled. I find it to be a direct slap in the face and utter disregard for the industry as a whole to allow an intern to write pure opinion, using outdated and unproven sources in an attempt to justify her anti-meat agenda.

I know there are a lot of really good people who have an understanding of agriculture working for EPA. It is sad that one very young, much uninformed young woman would be allowed by a government agency to tell all who would read the “official blog of EPA” that the “easiest way to lessen the environmental impacts is to become a vegetarian or vegan.”

I am going to call as well as write a letter to the lawmakers who represent me in Washington, D.C., letting them know that this is happening on their watch and that I don’t like it. Will you join me in doing the same with those congressmen representing your interests?