Live sales: No problem so long as animals aren't endangered species

Straits Times Forum 18 Apr 09;

I REFER to yesterday's letter by Mr Howard Shaw, 'Stop live animal sales, urge activists', and disagree with the view that the sale and consumption of live seafood pose ethical, environmental and economic problems beyond the initial impression of having a convenient source of fresh seafood.

The unfortunate truth is that if the human race has to eat to live, we have to kill animals from land and sea to survive. We cannot live on rice and vegetables alone. We cannot ignore the fact that fresh meats are more nutritious than frozen ones.

It is strange to consider the consumption of live frogs, soft-shell turtles, razor clams and eels as posing ethical and environmental problems, when we should logically consider them as complementary to live fish, prawns and other live animals. The increasing trend of more variety of live seafood made available is purely due to better transport and handling systems and business acumen of bosses.

I do not see a threat to local businesses like wet markets when most if not all food is imported. Importing from countries of abundance helps to balance the food chains and the ecosystem. In fact, killing whales and sharks is one of nature's ways to maintain the eco-balance because their consumption of sea creatures is horrendous.

If live animals sold in supermarkets are not endangered species, there is no reason to stop introducing better service to customers to complement the supply of wet markets. Yes, live animals should be kept in clean and non-crowded environments to prevent cruelty. Also, the slaughter of live animals in supermarkets should be more discreet and done behind the counter, out of sight of customers, and meat should be thoroughly cleaned before delivery.

Paul Chan

We don't need bloodcurdling experiences in supermarkets
Straits Times Forum 18 Apr 09;

I APPLAUD yesterday's letter by animal activists, 'Stop live animal sales, urge activists'.

I have started to avoid the Sheng Siong outlet near my home as I find it disturbing to see animals slaughtered right before my eyes.

I agree with Mr Howard Shaw that often, these animals are kept in inhumane conditions. I have also seen crabs and frogs kept in crowded cages at coffee shops, left without food and water for days until they are slaughtered.

I wonder if humans would like to be treated like this before they die?

Do animals suffer less pain because they cannot talk and protest against such treatment? No. The least we can do is to ensure that they are treated humanely until they are killed.

By bringing slaughtering back to the supermarkets, are we regressing to the old days of the wet markets in the 1970s?

These were times when chickens and ducks were kept in sordid conditions and slaughtered daily. Surely, we do not need that. Or are we trying to emulate the open-air markets in China where different kinds of animals can be bought and slaughtered if consumers so wish?

Singapore is progressing. Let us progress in our treatment of animals as well. We do not need bloodcurdling shopping experiences in supermarkets.

Elizabeth Ng (Mrs)