Motives are important in this debate.
Ova-lactic vegetarians might abstain from eating dead animals and fish for two main reasons; disgust at slaughtering poor creatures for our nutrition, or concern for our health. Some might combine the two. I personally refuse to eat creatures that are killed just so I can eat them but couldn't care less about my health, I am going to die sooner or later.
Due to pressure from animal rights campaigners conditions are gradually improving. We can easily obtain eggs from chickens that every day mount an expedition into fields, and cows that produce organic milk have a reasonable time of it. So for these reasons my view is that while some vegans might have animal welfare concerns, they are mostly in the "what about my health" camp.
Another issue for me is New Age culture. It seems to me veganism is often combined with mysticism, Deepak Chopra, Shakti Gawain, healing and Rudolph Steiner. I just cannot stand such tripe.
Conclusion; most vegans are egoistic, and some are nutcases.
The ones who wind me up are the half hearted types. I know a 'vegetarian' who wears leather and drinks non veggie wine - how does that work? So back on topic, if you're committed to it then you've got BCC's blessing.
I imagine that means a lot.
What's non veggie wine?
To me you can't be an ova-lactic vegetarian and concerned about animal welfare, the egg and dairy industry are probably more brutal than the meat industry and whilst you can buy organic and free range products they are rarely any better. Organic only refers to the feed which is given to the animals, not the conditions they live in and the same brutal practices such as killing male chicks and calfs as soon as they are born continues. Free-range conjures up a nice image of hens roaming around an open field but in reality, there's 10,000 or so in a barn with little space to move, they still have their beaks burnt off and are overfed to the point of illness.
Wine that has been made using animal product. Most wine is non veggie.
Ok, I just drink the stuff, I don't read the ingredients
What's non veggie wine?
Ye I've got off with some fatties then tooI couldn't cope at Christmas without pigs in blankets.