I know some people are worried about producers getting involved in the next series of Kill it, Cook it, Eat it because this time they will be focusing on milk-fed lambs and veal calves etc which is even more emotive than the cattle and sheep they slaughtered last time.

But I put this up because - if the series is to run - it needs some level-headed, sensible types in the audience and the production team is looking for volunteers. Follow the link to Food For Thought for details.

Just for clarity, what do they mean by milk fed lambs? All ours get milk direct from the ewe, do they mean first draw lambs or is there a specialist milk only diet I have missed somewhere?

I will venture a guess I will be in the minority on this one. I don't have a clue about this program other than what I have read, but I really doubt it is a great idea to have a TV show that features the slaughter process.  I take pigs to our local locker on a regular basis, and I am not bothered by the process but I am not a 8 or 9 year old child.  I raise cattle and pigs for a living, and I am a huge consumer of meat.  In the end though, when you butcher you kill an animal.  If that is all you show, if you don't show how they are raised, and how much work the farmer does to make the life of the animal decent, and if you don't show that wild animals and indeed people seldom die peacefully in their sleep, you simply risk turning young people way from eating meat.  I am sure a great brigade of people will answer that people need exposed to slaughtering, I would say that isn't a bet I want to take.  Sure, slaughterhouses( I can't spell the term you use, and can barely say it) are generally and should always be humane, and nothing to be ashamed of.  But a TV show that highlights this process will probably do the meat industry more harm than good.  Just cook it and eat it, leave the kill it part out. 

 By the way, I use to teach 10 year olds, I have a pretty good idea how they think, and I for sure don't want to see them turned off of meat. 

I have to disagree with you on this one Isabel. The last programs were relevant in that they illustrated the process behind all sources of meat. This series aims to concentrate on a very small section of the market and I cannot believe, however well balanced the audience, they won't play the 'killing baby animals'  card.

I would advise both producers and any would-be participants to have nothing to do with this. At best they will have no programs to make but if they do go ahead I do not think it will be constructive to give them any element of  respectability.

If they wish to make a controversial program about animal slaughter why don't they look at halal and kosher?

Far too political for the BBC I suspect.   

Excellent post hareley farmer.  I can't help but think somewhere in the background of this show PETA lurks. 

I just did a search for this show, if you think that it is going to do the meat side of agriculture any good, read some of the comments about the show.  I am going with my original gut feeling this program is a pretty clever product of the veggie and PETA brigade. 

I'm torn - I think last time round we feared it was going to be a disaster and it wasn't. There was lots of positive feedback and I think most people agreed that the production team handled it very well.

http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2007/03/08/102156/farmers-voice-their-support-for-kill-it-cook-it-eat.html

 But I do agree with hareley farmer's point that the baby animal card might be a problem. I might see if we can get someone from the company to respond.

Regards,

Isabel

Isabel Davies:

But I do agree with hareley farmer's point that the baby animal card might be a problem. I might see if we can get someone from the company to respond.

I've just sent an e-mail to one of the researchers inviting her to respond. I can't promise she will but fingers crossed...

Thanks for the reply.

Regards,

Isabel

I am a bit worrried by the line which says:

"The series does not set out to be sensational, it will simply reflect what happens normally in the food industry - albeit for a niche market".

In one sentance they are implying that they are looking at what is normal in the food industry, and at the same time admitting that it is for a niche market. I worry that the audience will be confused by what is 'normal' and the topic chosen (young animals) has been chose specifically because it is the potentially 'sensational' part of the market. 

kill it cook it eat it:

The production team working on the BBC programme Kill It Cook It Eat It, is aware that some people are worried about the content of our second series.  In it, we are slaughtering young animals - milk-fed lamb, suckling pig, kid goat and veal calves.  The programmes will undoubtedly stimulate intense debate as we tackle some highly sensitive issues.  The aim is to explore the self-imposed boundaries we put in place when we eat meat and where we draw the line, and why. We will also explore different meat-eating habits and attitudes in other countries where meat from younger animals is much more commonplace.

 The series does not set out to be sensational, it will simply reflect what happens normally in the food industry - albeit for a niche market. These small animals are reared, slaughtered and eaten in the UK and it is important that the information surrounding these processes is made widely available just as it was in the first series.  We will present this information in a clear and straightforward way and allow consumers to form their own opinions and make their own decisions.  The last series of Kill It Cook It Eat It was successful in terms of bringing major questions about the meat industry in a thought-provoking and responsible manner to a young audience.  This series aims to build on that success by exploring the more contentious and divisive issue surrounding the killing and consumption of young animals.

Just in case any of you were in doubt. This reply is from the production company.