Archive for animal rights

Photo story: Plucking a goose for Christmas

I have recently written a piece for Spectator Life on why goose are back in fashion this Christmas – following the news Theresa May favours goose over turkey. Here is a photo story about how I plucked and gutted my own goose for Christmas, making sure to save the fat for the roast potatoes – just like our Prime Minister likes them.  Read more

Blowing my cover…

The cover of The Ethical Carnivore published by Bloomsbury September 2016

The cover of The Ethical Carnivore published by Bloomsbury September 2016

After much deliberation, The Ethical Carnivore has a cover and the build up to publication has begun. Read more

Why eating squirrel can be the ethical option

Preparing squirrel to a Nigella recipe.

Preparing squirrel to a Nigella recipe.


In the latest update to The Ethical Carnivore project, I eat grey squirrel killed as part of a programme to protect the red population. Read more

In which I meet my illustrator…

Learning to shoot with Chris Wheatley-Hubbard of Four Feathers. Illustration by Sam Goodlet.

Learning to shoot with Chris Wheatley-Hubbard of Four Feathers. Illustration by Sam Goodlet. I like my ‘flippers’, like I could swim away…

The Ethical Carnivore is to be illustrated by Sam Goodlet, a talented artist and a vegan… Read more

Photos of butchers – because we probably don’t appreciate them enough

Julian butchers a lamb at Devon County Show.

Julian butchers a lamb at Devon County Show.

The number of butchers shops in Britain has fallen from 30,000 to under 6,000 in the last 20 years. It’s a shame because butchers should be the point of contact between you and the farmer who raised the meat on your behalf. Read more

Photos of farmers – because we probably don’t appreciate them enough

Producers supplying Farmdrop, a kind of online farmers' market that provides Londoners with fresh produce.

Producers supplying Farmdrop, an online farmers’ market that provides Londoners with fresh produce.

Pork, chicken, lamb, beef, eggs, dairy – it all came from a farmer getting up early and working on your behalf – as these Farmdrop producers did. Here are some other farmers that I have met during research for my book The Ethical Carnivore. I will try and update it as I go along… Read more

Photos of fishermen – because we probably don’t appreciate them enough

Scott Jago has just started fishing. His real love is his band The Lost Boyz.

Scott Jago has just started fishing. His real love is his band The Lost Boyz.

 

Most of the research for my book is meeting the people who catch and kill the meat and fish we eat on our behalf. I’m learning a lot from these people and since I can’t include them all in the book, here is a rolling blog (that will hopefully be updated) of just some of the characters I have met. Read more

Hitting the target – but not how you think – with the BBC & Scottish Field

My rifle skills are improving but does that mean I'll make a clean shot?

My rifle skills are improving but does that mean I’ll make a clean shot?

My year spent only eating animals I have killed myself has featured on the BBC and in Scottish Field, leading to some expected ribbing about ‘glamorous’ photos with guns and some unexpected conclusions about the nature of shooting. Read more

The Easter Bunny: Overcoming Watership Down

Rabbit features in much of our childhood literature but it will also feature in the kill to eat diet.

Rabbit features in much of our childhood literature but it will also feature in the kill to eat diet.

I am often asked why I have not eaten more rabbit on this journey. The simple answer is that it takes time to learn to shoot a rabbit properly. There is also the Watership Down problem. Read more

My first shooting season

I spent the winter learning about shooting

I spent the winter learning how to shoot

I grew up in the countryside, so it may seem strange to call this my first shooting season. But this is the first time I’ve actually held a gun. Read more