Happy to Buy Organic Meat as a Vegetarian

I work for the Barn Owl Conservation Network and as the Biodiversity Officer at Sheepdrove Organic Farm, a family owned farm on the Berkshire Downs, and winner of "Best Mixed Farm" in the Organic Food Awards 2003.

When buying my latest batch of organic meat from the farm where I work, a new member of the sales team said, "You'll love those chops, they're delicious!" They were quite surprised at my reply: "Oh they're not for me, I'm a vegetarian." Quickly quashing ideas of a possible veggy conspiracy and easing their puzzled look, I explained to my colleague that the loin chops, chicken drumsticks and sausages were for a barbecue at a gathering of friends in Cornwall.

So what was a vegetarian doing buying loin chops, and why do I work at a farm best known for their meat and very proud of their on-site poultry slaughter? Surely a nightmarish place for me to be? Actually I really like working at the farm and have often toured the processing plant, which I am glad to say is just a short journey from the poultry agroforestry field, a plot lined with habitat and herbs for wild food and self-medication.

I choose to buy meat from Sheepdrove Organic Farm for several reasons. Firstly, the barbecue hostess is only happy to eat organic meat - a former vegetarian who holds health and animal welfare as top priorities - and so she always asks me to bring produce over. Secondly, because I appreciate the high welfare standards for organic livestock and I also know how much Sheepdrove staff care about the animals. A third reason could be that at the end of the day, I am happier if all of my meat-eating friends at the barbecue eat organic with me. They don't need much converting to the taste, or the ethics! (If only I got commission on that.)

As you will have guessed, I am not a veggy who has a problem with people who eat meat . I consider the issue to be about personal choice. Why don't I eat meat? Being a naturalist I know about food chains and I appreciate that human dental anatomy is omnivorous, so my reasons can�t be scientific..!

Some people quote the damage that intensive animal farming does to environment and health, but when I have access to a local organic meat source, that doesn�t count � especially if I�m already buying from Sheepdrove. Really it�s about how I feel concerning the killing of sentient animals (pigs as clever as dogs, and all.) when it is not necessary for my wellbeing. If my health demanded it, I would, but for now, for myself, I would rather not.

So the idea may seem strange at first, but as a vegetarian I have no problem buying organic meat, especially when it is direct from a farm that I know. The Compassion in World Farming Trust expressed similar views in their Compassionate Shoppers' Guide, urging everyone to "opt for organic or free-range� so I'm in good company!

Jason Ball, Sheepdrove Organic Farm