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Could You Eat an Elephant? Could You Eat an Elephant?

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Date Published:
12/01/2009

Two of the UK's leading chefs test their steel and their stomach eating the world's most taboo foods

Fergus Henderson and Jeremy Lee are two of the UK's most daring chefs. At Fergus' celebrated restaurant, St John, 'nose to tail' eating means including everything from pigs' ears to bone marrow is on the menu. Jeremy's position as head chef at top eatery Blueprint Café, puts the two friends on the foodie frontline.

Now Fergus and Jeremy are being sent on an epic culinary journey across Europe, Asia and Africa to truly test their own limitations. To find their culinary ceiling, the duo attempt to eat their way up through the ladder of animals considered taboo for consumption in Britain but very much part of the daily diet in other parts of the world.

Starting with very small creatures and working their way up to the very big, Fergus and Jeremy visit places where these meats are local and seasonal, to see if they can eat them in the traditional way, from beetles and maggot-infested cheese, through rat, snake and dog to horse, elephant, and finally monkey.

They start their journey in Tuscany, Italy to sample birds, but of a smaller variety than the sort that usually makes it onto British plates. Jeremy stays in Italy to sample Marcetto, a maggot-infested cheese that is said to be an aphrodisiac.

Then it's on to Hanoi for a spot of cobra and a dish of rat; Namibia in southern Africa, to feast on jewel beetle paste and back to Italy for some lovely horse.

The pressure is on for the chefs as they are faced with meats that have an emotional impact of the pair. Dog in Vietnam, elephants in Namibia and finally, the hardest challenge of all - monkey.

Through the increasingly difficult dishes, the programme takes a serious look at British food taboos, culinary revulsions and dining preconceptions.

Watch Could You Eat an Elephant? Wednesday, 10pm on Channel 4

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  1. This is ridiculous to say that we as a nation have 'taboos' around this type of food. We don't, we have common sense. I've lived in these countries. It's not a normal part of the diet, they are considered delicacies, and in some places, the more cruel the death, they consider it to be more beneficial to our health. Are Channel 4 so desperate to be seen as cool that they have to stoop to these levels?? Go and live in Asia, chickens are treated better than dogs there. We have humane farming in this country because we have advanced more, these countries have yet to have the same standards of hygiene let alone humane treatment of animals, whether that is for food or otherwise. Unhelpful, silly program
    Posted by K Robinson on 07/10/2009 13:29:38
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  2. Completely pointless!
    Posted by Jane on 08/09/2009 16:16:58
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  3. "i'm for chowing down on some chimp" - all i can say is would you chow down on your own family? knowing how close they are to humans... very close to the mark..still if folks like you get your way, you might just get the opportunity some day, grossly farmed of course. just hope they "chow down" man..on you first
    Posted by a human on 01/07/2009 06:01:35
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  4. Money for old rope nothing on the menu that I would not try. Wish someone would fly me around the world to try exotic foods in exotic countries and pay me for the privilege.
    Posted by Graeme on 03/04/2009 23:06:30
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  5. patric.... my hero i wanna eat in your resturant
    Posted by nigel on 17/03/2009 23:19:22
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  6. whats the point of this program ? they hardly eat anything a waste of air time ,find sombody who WILL have a go .
    Posted by nigel on 17/03/2009 23:12:26
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  7. Is that Bricktop commentatin or what
    Posted by Hipster on 03/03/2009 03:34:37
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  8. I would like to ask if anything is being done about the cruelty of these poor dogs.I was horrfied after watching it,surely there must be something we can do for them.
    Posted by Doglover on 02/03/2009 22:25:46
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  9. This programme is to address the taboo of eating certain foods and clearly it has ruffled a lot of feathers. The animal welfare angle is pretty irrelevant - of course animals should be treated well before we kill and eat them, but people wouldn't be up in arms about the treatment of animals were it not for the fact that they were talking about eating lovely dogs and elephants. Regardless of what we think about animal welfare here the fact is people throughout the rest of the world do eat this stuff, it's just normal for them. It's not as if the programme makers went out of their way to get animals killed especially. Food is food and people have to eat. Three quarters of the world don't have enough to eat and don't have the luxury of turning something down just because they don't like the thought of what it is or how it was treated before it died.
    Posted by Dave on 13/02/2009 14:57:14
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  10. I cried when I saw the advert never mind watching the program I love elephants so why are you killing them for a tv program it is awful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Posted by amber on 06/02/2009 18:01:28
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  11. If you are carnivorous, then you probably eat pieces of little fluffy lambs, and intelligent pigs, and gentle cows, and innocent chickens. So get over it and eat dogs, elephants and monkeys if the opportunity arises. This isn't about how the animals were killed - this is about whether people can bring themselves to eat animals which they weren't fed by their parents when they were a child. Sadly there are many people in the UK who won't eat vegetables/salad/fish/liver etc etc because they were raised on chips and baked beans. It's time to grow up and broaden our minds! Although sadly the chefs in the show couldn't do that... Shame on them. Maybe they should have stayed in their comfort zone and stuck to things like crocodile and ostrich (do you think they would worry so much about the welfare of a reptile or bird?)
    Posted by conray on 28/01/2009 14:54:30
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  12. This programme is wrong and shouldnt have been shown on television at all. I am apalled that Channel 4 would condone the killing and eating of any animal espicially ones that are endangered. Poachers kill animals illegally and in my eyes you are the same. I hope that people complain to OFCOM so that this programme is not shown again.
    Posted by Lindsay Kolodziej on 20/01/2009 14:14:55
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  13. how could any1 even think about eatin a dog, elephant or monkey :S i mean, c'mon, honestly, thts just sick n shouldnt even be shown on T.V, this is definately disturbing to eat!!!
    Posted by vix on 19/01/2009 22:05:53
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  14. What a vile, vile program!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Posted by nasty program on 19/01/2009 19:47:17
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  15. Regardless of whether you beleive it right to eat some of these animals, the point that the majority are making is that the animals are treated very cruelly. This is totally wrong, if an animal is to be eaten, it should be treated with respect and killed humanely. Peter in Korea, yes Chickens in this country are not treated that greatly, but they are not abused before death and they should be killed humanely, unfortunately this may not always be the case but the fact is we have standards and laws to try and ensure this is the case. Quite clearly in some other countries they simply don't care. If we are to remain a meat eating race, which I am sure we will, we should only eat meat which has been reared in good conditions, where the animals has had something of a life and then killed humanely. Some of the arrogant, 'we should be able to eat what we want' attitudes on here are incredible. We are not God as someone else has said.
    Posted by Chris on 19/01/2009 16:01:12
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  16. i found the program very interesting but very hard to watch,i cried like a baby when they went to see the dogs and had to turn it off as it was too distressing,i won't be going to vietnam anytime soon.
    Posted by shirleygirl on 17/01/2009 02:07:03
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  17. Oh and one more thing, to the few that have had a dig at vegetarians/vegans - we are not looney hippies and we don't spend all day dressing our 3 bean salad thank you. I have many meat eating friends who are appalled at the inhumane treatment of animals. There is NO excuse for animal cruelty, no matter what part of the world you are in. Beetle, elephant, doesn't matter, we are not God and have no right to treat other living creatures in this way. Yes these issues should be brought to our attention but in a serious documentary. I think many people are upset that this has been used as light entertainment.
    Posted by starfinder on 17/01/2009 00:02:28
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  18. First caught site of this programme on Wed.14th Jan,2009. Wish I hadn't. I found the part involving the treatment and eating of dogs enough to turn my stomach. I felt physically sick after it and while I think people need to see what goes on I found this as harrowing as much I had seen on television. I am considering making a complaint.
    Posted by Alastair on 16/01/2009 21:47:32
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  19. In a world where we have intensive farming which contributes to global warming the answer is not to see how many other animals we can stuff our faces with. We should be looking at the alternatives - Will eating LESS meat have a positive impact on the environment? Will eating LESS meat help the undernourished millions of people in this world. No I don't find eating 'lovely horse' in Italy amusing, neither do I find cruelty to dogs in Vietnam entertaining (and please don't tell me they didn't expect this). It's time we started to respect the planet and living creatures we share it with, they are not here for our entertainment. I found the two jolly chefs quite repulsive. If you want to tackle serious issues do it properly and please don't provide cheap entertainment at the expense of living creatures.
    Posted by starfinder on 16/01/2009 20:40:02
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  20. I had no intention of watching this programme, the title alone was enough to put me off, but having heard from friends about it's content I know I made the right decision. I really don't know why channel 4 would want to make such a disgusting documentary and then advertise it as "entertainment". Anyone who eats meat that has not had a good life and a humane end really have no right to comment as they themselves are enabling such barbarism in this country as well. And for all those people who think it was a great programme and who think this kind of treatment of ANY animal is acceptable, you have some serious evolving to do.
    Posted by Karen on 16/01/2009 14:03:13
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  21. I wish people would not sit so firmly on one side of the fence or the other...side a) all of it is ok, side b) none of it is ok. This documentary has been useful in revealing how some animals do get treated around the world for their meat. Eat meat if you must but yes...make sure you are prepared to eat all parts of the animal...that is a good point made by the chef 'Patric 15/01/2009 23:36:29' in the comment below. But to those of you who say...oh it's the culture..all of it's ok...don't interfere and what hypocrites the animal rights people are......well for goodness sake have a heart! The big issue is not what type of meat is consumed, anywhere, overseas and yes back in Britain..it's the respect given to the animal throughout rearing and killing. So, please! Don't respond to those who have been genuinely distressed by the images this programme gave by saying 'change channel..you don't have to watch it'. Thank God for the people who were distressed. Without them there would be no bounds, anywhere, any country. It IS happening...this is real 'reality tv' and ALL of us can respond by making changes in our own lives so that we contribute as little as is possible by avoiding products / bi-products that are the result of suffering by any animal, in any country, UK included. Sure...try dog meat abroad if you must, but, out of respect for nature, not as long as the dogs are treated in the way depicted in this programme. Anything less is hideous self-indulgence. Instead respect the animal world, thank God for what he has provided us and so learn to love your fellow man better.
    Posted by sems on 16/01/2009 13:12:21
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  22. Nice idea for a program but very poorly scripted and voiced. Alan Ford sounded like he couldn't give a fap fap about the overly preachy text he narrated, and sometimes it missed the point completely. Also, I know you can't really have a clause in a contract guaranteeing they'll eat something, but it seemed pretty bizarre sending 2 chefs and a filming crew to Africa not to do anything.
    Posted by Jack on 16/01/2009 12:13:25
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  23. very informative. didn't realise what was happening in other cultures. struggled to watch the horse slaughter, but had to turn over as soon as i saw the horrified dogs in a small cage, without even thinking of what happened next. has to be shown, but should have been in a different context than the two chefs eating the animals. should have been more like a documentary to help the animals, not join in and eat them. wouldn't watch again. but hope it makes us all try and do something to help these poor animals :(
    Posted by dogsathome on 16/01/2009 10:15:19
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  24. This program was shown for shock value. We all now how dog's are treated in these countries before they are killed for food. For god sake you'd have to be living under a rock not to know. so Why did the chefs eat some dog then see how the dog's were treated. Were as they would see how all the other animals were treated before hand. They wanted to try it then make an excuse they diden't know. i also sore they diden't eat the rat. Well i suppose that would be cannibalism.
    Posted by james fowler on 16/01/2009 02:13:55
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  25. i watched this programme and as many would agree i felt disgusted...something should be done about these animals save them....i felt sick to my stomach n hearing those dogs yelping that was enough..i respect peoples religions but this,im sorry but there is just no need..if there is at all any petitions about animal rights regarding this programme please could u send me the link i would b happy to support this....if any of u think its nothing just remember those dogs faces n the sad eyes that did it for me its sick...!!!!
    Posted by becksie on 16/01/2009 01:51:31
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  26. I'm afraid i was disappointed with the end of the program. i am not talking from the dark side of the moon but am a recognised chef decorated with 16 points in gault et millau (at least 1 michelin star) but not in the UK ok i have all the respect in the world for the two chefs presenting. their menu and attitude makes me feel humble. however, the media of TV once again washed free from responsibility. with extreme eager i started to watch the program and i thought for once the british public is educated away from just the four prime meats. there is so much more to nourish the public than the supermarkets dare to put on their shelves. all these animals die only for their prime cuts to be eaten, ending up on the shelves of supermarkets to be consumed without any respect. sorry show what is in sausages and make the public aware of what is hidden, get them to understand and appreciate that we eat to be nourished, not only what is accepted by society. we can increase the pleasure on the table with teaching this 'english' society by educating them eating food they normally would not even look at, starting by liver, kidneys, stomach and brains. i was excited when i saw the two chefs eating small birds, horse and cheese with maggots but as soon it got abroad, media turned it around and condemned foreign food. they said it right they would not eat a rat feeding from the sewers but would have no problem eating any mussel or other shellfish. what really springs to my mind is when all the uproar occurred that calves should not be transported from the north of scotland to the south of spain, alive to be turned into sausages and transported all the way back., every cow producing your muller yoghurt has a baby to be able to produce the milk and if the baby is not female do you really have to send it to spain to die? eat it. all of it otherwise it is not fair. you would not believe what a little education and persuasion changed my uk girlfriend to eat foods she has never dreamed of but now does. people of the uk i do not say go and put rover on the sunday dinner table but open your minds to the whole of all the animals killed for food and enjoy the respect you can pay for their death. what i want to say is before you condemn people in other countries for what they eat get around eating the whole of the animal you kill or you expect to be killed to be on your dinner table. once you've eaten the comb of a chicken or its stomach with some garlic butter - then please judge
    Posted by Patric on 15/01/2009 23:36:29
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  27. Regarding PAULINE1 Quote:1. "Sarah b is mistaken, I will quote her if I may below: There is little we can do about how these animals are kept in foreign countries and to be honest, we shouldn't interfere. Just because we believe in something different, it doesn't make us right. This kind of attitude has been and is responsible for many wars. If we were to say the same about other situations,i.e: freedom of liberty - they're would be a lot of german speaking people in Britian." You make a good point here Pauline and I agree that when a country is under threat from a dictator we should defend our human rights. However on the subject of changing local cultures and customs in foreign countries, when there is no threat to us or other people and the eating habits of these people are not being enforced on anyone else. We should keep our noses out. It would be hypocritical for the British to go overseas and spout about animal cruelty when we are not blamefree ourselves.
    Posted by sarahb on 15/01/2009 23:05:21
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  28. It about time people realise more about food. I am aware though we live in a rich western country which has become sterile towards how food reaches us via Tesco some parts of the world still eat to survive. I am not into eating Rats, or anything as strange as that but understand in places where food really is a survival sport these foods are better than starving. From this some people gain a taste for this poor meat and go on to live off it even if economics climate changes for the better. We should therefore instead of being self opinionated, reflect on how easy food is in a world where most of our nation is obese! I hope those of you who feel real sickness towards these foods learns how really lucky we are to live in this country! Ashley, Herefordshire.
    Posted by Ashley on 15/01/2009 22:58:30
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  29. I was horrified by this programme and how easily these two chefs ate the so-called "food", and how they just stood by and watched them being abused. I was in tears at the sight of those poor poor dogs - and the sound of their screams as they were being belted with a big stick still rings in my ears. That dogs face through the cages - he looked so so sad. Horrific, absolutely horrific. No excuse for it - something should be done - don't care if it is another country's "culture" - it is still not acceptable treatment of another living thing. Made me sick to the pit of my stomach
    Posted by Niamh, Ireland on 15/01/2009 22:40:21
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  30. Having read most of the posts on this thread, I'm left wondering: 1. Why no-one seems particularly bothered about the beetles that had their legs ripped off before being roasted alive. My guess is that most people find it easier to anthropomorphise when the animal on to which you're projecting your feelings is cute rather than crawly. 2. What 'discusted' means. It occurs in at least 3 posts here but as far as I'm aware it's a word unknown to the English language. 3. Why eating, 'dog, monkey, and elephant is unthinkable' when eating (amongst others) pigs, cows, chickens, sheep, deer, cockles, scallops, lobsters, crabs, teal, woodcock, and herrings isn't (particularly as lots of people appear to find eating some or all of the above perfectly thinkable). 4. What the 'something must be done brigade' think should be done. Perhaps another war like the one we're currently waging in Afghanistan or the one we've just waged Iraq? That'd teach those beetle-eating foreign jonnies to mind their manners and to behave like decent human beings, ie, white, middle-class western Europeans.
    Posted by graesoton on 15/01/2009 22:33:25
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  31. I stumbled on this programme, and was mostly offended by the blase attitude of both chefs towards the animals they were sampling. The humour was severely misplaced both when preparing the songbirds, and eating the snake, and I found this level of disrespect for the animal kingdom really offensive, un-necessary and incredibly arrogant. It was a shame that someone with the integrity and respectful nature of Bruce Parry had not been enlisted to complete this journey, I am sure that his comments on the experience would have been far more interesting, insightful and mature. Although I was incredibly shocked at the site of tiny songbirds being prepared as food I did feel some comfort that they would have been shot and killed quickly, and I think that this is the issue many people have - that eating meat is acceptible only when the animal has been treated humanely prior to death. I did not continue to watch after the break as I knew that the scenes of dogs would have been very distressing for me, and I have made myself watch these dog farms before to raise my awareness and didn't feel the need to do it again. However, far from feeling outraged that this was shown on tv, I can only feel pleased if it encourages the ignorant among us to do something positive to help all the abused and maltreated animals of the world. We all have choices after all and it is easy to shut your eyes. If it hadn't been shown, then how many people leaving posts on here would even have been aware that this kind of abuse exists? I can only encourage those people who feel enraged to use these emotions in a positive way and join campaigns by the RSPCA etc. to help stop this cruelty. Venting your anger towards Channel 4 does nothing to ease the suffering of these animals and is wasted energy. I agree with those on here who have stated that we need to begin with our own culture and ensure that the meat we buy has been reared in humane conditions, so why not make a difference by using your consumer power to buy free range or support your local butcher? Whatever the motivation of Channel 4 in making this programme, I only hope that the furore it has caused motivates enough people to do something practical to ease animal cruelty on a global scale.
    Posted by Michelle on 15/01/2009 22:13:06
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  32. I ate KFC once.................never again, and you think the lovely lil chickens that get turned into that repulsive filth are treated any better than the "poor little doggies" were in the film???? Stop being hypocrits either EVERY living animal is ok to eat and treat as is our want or none are. So it's either mad hippy loony vegan or full on omnivore............ I'm for chowing down on some chimp thanks
    Posted by Bob on 15/01/2009 21:51:39
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  33. What a brilliant programme. It showed the unnecessary excessive greed of big game hunters and highlighted the barbaric trade of dog farming in south east asia. The only thing I cant understand is how two well educated men could not have known of the cruel conditions in which cats and dogs are farmed for their meat. Yet if they were ignorant to the conditions in which animals are reared for meat around the world then perhaps the program has done some good and change one-day will happen.
    Posted by Lisa Harrison on 15/01/2009 21:31:21
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  34. I am totally disgusted with this series, and glad that so many people are echoing the same feeling. There is nothing to be gained by it - short of Channel 4 having its usual enjoyment of all things shocking so that we don't forget they're there. And please, also, do not show such cruelty on the promos - we can turn off the programme but it is difficult to avoid these sensational promotions which remind one of a silly child showing its bum to shock. Grow up!
    Posted by Lifebadger on 15/01/2009 21:17:09
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  35. This programme made me physically sick, I had to look away throughout many parts of it. Those animals may have been bred for eating but the way that they were treated was unthinkable. This programme has opened my eyes to how the rest of the world treats animals that we see as pets and that has made me think twice about travelling.
    Posted by bk162 on 15/01/2009 21:10:10
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  36. I was shocked at what i saw last night,i could not sleep and was thinking of the poor animals all day at work.The programe has made a big impact on many people and opened our eyes to the suffering of these aminals and lets hope something good will come of it.No animal should have to suffer like this, and lets get real here yes we do eat pigs cows chickens and lamb, but eating dog, monkey,and elephant is unthinkable.The way the dogs suffer, is clearly seen on their faces,they must know dogs are being killed not far from them, their intelligent and loving animals and thats why there mans best friend, or so i thought. STOP THIS NOW.Thank you channel 4 for opening many eyes
    Posted by vanessa on 15/01/2009 19:09:01
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  37. Hi, Could you kindly let me know if this programme will be shown again? It was amazing and I regret I only got to see the tail end. Kind regards Mandana
    Posted by mandana merali on 15/01/2009 18:25:21
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  38. Often with programs like this you get the usual people writting essays of how wrong it was to air this, and how disapointed they are with what entertainment is coming to these days. There are still a few people here over reacting, the usual types that will complain at anything that really get my back up but I think most of them are fairly off the mark as to why this was wrong in my opinion. It wasn't showing animal cruelty as ok but I have to say I was very dissapointed with this program. The problem was there was no real dicriptions of what the food they ate was like or why the cultures ate it. It seemed like the whole program was filmed purely for shock value. What a waste of money jetting these two around the world for that purpose. A much better program could have been made with a similar basis but maybe it wouldn't be so controversial and wouldn't get channel 4 the publicity this will, is that what they were going for?!!!
    Posted by loz.p86 on 15/01/2009 17:25:14
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  39. I think this was a very informative and well presented program. This is reality in these countries- This is what they eat! They are not asking you too or recommending that we should. If you didn't like it or were offended, that's what a remote is for!
    Posted by Ruth on 15/01/2009 17:24:51
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  40. This programme made me physically sick. It was disgusting the way they abused the dogs before sending them to the slaughter. They just all looked really unhappy and knew something bad was going to happen to them. I dont know how other people can just treat these beautiful animals with such disrepect, its so cruel and should be banned all together never mind eating a couple of elephants every so often thats just shocking!!.
    Posted by Aimee on 15/01/2009 17:19:37
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  41. If they are making a tv show about eating thing they should eat them, intead of turning it down. Waste of time!
    Posted by Milne on 15/01/2009 16:57:50
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  42. Horrifying - especially the dogs - I know I know that's just because to me they're lovable loyal pets, but even so - carrying them in that awful basket thing (at this point I had to turn over) - I couldn't bear the look on their faces any longer. Informative, but unnecessarily cruel in my opinion. I can't comment further as I only managed to watch the above snippet, and then a bit of the rats having their teeth ripped out, that was enough. :(
    Posted by Holly on 15/01/2009 16:52:49
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  43. This was indeed a very shocking programme. I do not object to it being on television. I believe it is important to learn about different cultures and appreciate that we see the world in the way that we are brought up. My beliefs concerning the consumption of meat is that as long as the animal had a good quality of life and was slaughtered as quickly and efficiently as possible then I am happy to eat the meat. I was very moved by seeing the dogs in such pain and distress, I did cry and I was very shocked. Not by the fact that dog meat was being eaten, but by the distress that these dogs were put under, I also found it difficult to see a horse walk into an abattoir, but that was done very humanely and quickly. I agree with what the narrator said and how the chefs felt; Because I have been brought up seeing such animals as companions rather than meat then it is difficult to see. I also own two pet rats which made the man pulling out the front teeth of the rats also hard to stomach. I just cannot see past my values and my belief system to justify or respect the unnecessary suffering that is placed upon these animals in these countries. However, I do respect the program for putting these images out there and making no apology for it. Saying this, I do not think the program succeeded in encouraging people to think about trying different types of meat. If anything, I would bet it has put a lot of people off meat altogether.
    Posted by Becky on 15/01/2009 16:51:05
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  44. i think the way those animals were treated it was disgusting it should not have been shown on tellevision
    Posted by Ben Hayes on 15/01/2009 16:50:41
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  45. Absolutly discusted with this program! We don't what to know what beautiful creatures they eat!
    Posted by ThatGirlElla on 15/01/2009 16:26:18
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  46. As a non flesh eater myself I found this documentary to be very informative and I believe that many flesh eaters in this country would not do so if they had to see or perform such processes regarding their food!Channel 4 well done, but now we need people to learn of all the different options for sustainance and nutrition. To all those people who were offended please remember that 'the truth is an offence but not a sin.' Lets start to reduce the amount of murders we humans inflict on all Gods creatures... Remember, Thou shalt not kill...Peace
    Posted by Iman on 15/01/2009 16:15:48
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  47. I enjoyed this documentary last night. I think it is very important to see how different cultures have less distance in perception of animals and food. I wish we were more honest about meat in the UK, and I encourage anyone who has a problem with accepting that meat comes from animals to become a vegetarian. To all those complaining, I think it rather silly to protest, when you were warned repeatedly that there would be scenes of butchery. Granted, the treatment of the dogs did appear a bit harsh, but I don't protest to this being shown. It's their culture, and that's how they keep their livestock.
    Posted by Jonathan Lee on 15/01/2009 16:11:18
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  48. this is to the people commenting the chefs and how they cook the animals. atleast they are using thw whole animal and not just prepearing the prime cuts of meat, surely its a good thing they are using the 'stranger' parts of an animal instead of pure wastage of the bone marrow for example! great programme c4
    Posted by sam on 15/01/2009 15:45:33
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  49. Please please can someone post this programme on YouTube so that the rest of the world can have their say. Collectively we can make a difference if enough people comment.
    Posted by MK Slinky on 15/01/2009 15:20:35
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  50. I would like to commend Channel Four for showing this programme last night. Like others here, I too was horrified by the treatment of the animals shown. It is one thing to eat an animal, but to torture it by ripping out it's teeth or poking it with a stick beforehand is nothing short of barbaric! I think we all know that this kind of treatment goes on in other countries but the majority of us do nothing about it. Hopefully Channel Four have opened the eyes of many more people and now something can be done to put an end to this cruelty and suffering. I'm sure that through the support of the British Public we CAN make a difference and start some form of action against these countries. Maybe lobbying our local MP's would be a good place to start. I would say to anyone who has an opinion; don't just leave your comments here, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT NOW!! Well done Channel Four, great documentary!
    Posted by MK Slinky on 15/01/2009 15:14:36
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  51. Am I seriously reading some of these comments? "Barbarians"?! well, sorry - but we treat chickens etc the same way. Are we barbarians too? "Dogs and elephants are far more intelligent" - so it's an intelligence issue?! Unbelievable. "we can't suddenly change a culture's morals" - and why should we? How arrogant do you want to sound? Why are all these animal rights people complaining that C4 broadcast this? what if they had said, 'oh by the way...in Vietnam they eat dogs and they're not kept in very nice conditions'. Most people wouldn't care. Having seen it for real - look at all the comments!! Surely if you truly care, you should be thanking C4 for raising awareness. Actually - I'm a meat eater. Dabbled in dog just 2 weeks ago even. You just argue against yourselves and throw your arms in the air. I'm going for a steak.
    Posted by Peter, Korea. on 15/01/2009 14:39:33
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  52. Firstly id just like to say i dont agree with the way these animals are killed. Somebody a few posts down was saying that they shouldnt kill innocent dogs, well all animals are innocent even the pigs, cows and sheep we eat in this country. That is what the programme was about, the way british people think it is ok to eat cows, sheep etc but not dogs and horses. Obviously Vegetarians will be against all animal eating.
    Posted by Ben on 15/01/2009 14:27:39
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  53. It's one thing to show the British public the slaughter of animals thought to be 'delicacies' in other countries but showing it and doing nothing is surely saying it's ok? Of course one team in the media cannot suddenly erase the constant mistreatment of animals in other countries, we can't suddenly change a cultures morals (even when they are the wrong!) but we can make a difference and a follow-on programme to show how people can make a difference would be helpful instead of scaring viewers into thinking nothing can be done.
    Posted by BeckyBear on 15/01/2009 14:09:22
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  54. Having watched this programme last night, i was absolutely mortified at what i saw. Watching these poor animals being held and killed was absolutely disgusting and very very upsetting, the time for me to switch off the programme came after watching how these 'Barbarians' treated the horses and especially the Dogs, this was just pure cruelty. It literally reduced me to tears, and still does. There should be some law in these countries to stop this from happening. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO STOP THESE PEOPLE
    Posted by Gypsey on 15/01/2009 14:08:54
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  55. I was absolutely disgusted to here what was on channel four last night, i knew this was coming on tv but could not even bring myself to watch it. When there's an uproar concerning the fur trade the whole world has something to say but when innocent animals are hurt for no good reason apart from two strange individuals carrying out their sadistic acts with channel fours permission, no one says nothing. I know what goes on in the world but dont want it glamourised. As for the people who think we are naive not to know the differnce between cows, chickens, elephants and dogs in case you have not realised cows and chickens are not endangered, mans best friend and elephants are far more intelligent. This infuriates me and breaks my heart channel four.
    Posted by Joe on 15/01/2009 14:01:40
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  56. This was a programme about cruelty to animals NOT about eating different animals. They both seemed to get off on it - the shock effect. I can still hear the sound of screaming dogs being killed. Please do not show this programme again without justifing how these ego driven men can do such things, to eat such animals is agreeing with this culture. This is Britain we don't agree with this, thats why we have laws, the RSPCA etc. Was this not breaking our law by showing British men carrying out these acts!
    Posted by Julie on 15/01/2009 13:48:44
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  57. I think this is a disgusting idea for a programme. Cutting edge chefs eh? They need to have a serious look at their consciences and so should you for commissioning/buying this programme.
    Posted by Mozzy69 on 15/01/2009 13:39:33
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  58. I'm not a vegetarian and sat down to watch this with an open mind thinking it would be interesting. It was gratuitous in the way they focused on the slaughtering of the animals and clearly intentioned to shock. I don't feel I learned what snake meat or the insects or the cheese etc tastes like or what its nutritional benefits were so what was the point in two chefs jollying round the world? They also made such a big thing about people should be able to eat the whole animal and were so hypercritical in then refusing to eat things. The animal cruelty was appalling as was the way it was presented and I don’t believe it was in any way warranted.
    Posted by Porpo on 15/01/2009 13:19:17
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  59. I understand and accept the cry 'hypocrites'. However, how far removed from nature have we come if any of us can hold the view that it is acceptable for animals used by any culture to suffer during the process of farming them for human survival. We are related to animals through 'life' itself. Whether we have any faith in a God or none at all, we can choose to act with some humility if indeed killing 'life' is necessary to meet a need for survival. I have worked with animals all my life and can from first hand witness state that an animal experiences the same emotions/senses as a human, amongst which are fear and pain. The main issue here is not what meat other cultures eat, but the respect given during the rearing/killing process. I was raised eating all the usual meats available in Britain but for a number of years could not reconcile this with the way animals are treated (and continue to be) through mass-farming. Eating meat had become a habit...but as my awareness grew I found a way to clear my conscience and give up, since I could find no alternative. For those who choose not to take this step (and I do respect your choice) it has become much easier now in this country to commit to buying produce from ethically farmed sources (yes, that means boycotting Macdonalds and the fast food chains as part of that commitment) and I believe that is the way forward ...honesty with ourselves...and if price is the issue, eat less meat rather than contribute to suffering. I admire the work of the many organisations out there tackling complex welfare issues in foreign countries, but back home, although none of us can change the world on our own, combined we can make an enormous change. I am not against people eating meat - but equally there are many cultures around the world who eat meat 'different' from our typical British menu who DO respect their source of food. For any culture to magnify suffering during the killing process (picking on the Vietnamese as an example where there is a view that the more the animal suffers the better the meat, whilst also providing a source of virility) is truly arrogant, egotistical and a complete turning away from God.
    Posted by sems on 15/01/2009 13:10:25
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  60. This programme made light of the fact that many of these animals were ill treated and tortured, some even dying a slow painful death. I recognise that we can not dictate what other countries view as edible but surely we can appeal to goverments to take a less sadistic aprouch to the ending of an animals life. I find this type of viewing unbearable but I force myself to watch so that I am reminded that I need to do my bit to help stop the suffering of these defensles animals, unforunatly too many people switch over at scenes of distress which then allows them to switch off to the animals suffering and ofcourse then allows them to put all thoughts on this subject to the back of their minds were it may be forgotten. I was disapionted that the 2 chefs featured joked their way through this programme and even ate dog before checking out the cruel sadistic manor in which these animals were kept and then killed. Ofcourse they were already aware like most of the population on how dogs are kept and killed before they entered the dog restraunt so shame on them for even trying it. This type of viewing in my opinion should be viewed as a documentry to enlighten people of the cruelty so they can then decide whether they wish to forget or try and make a difference and not LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT. I feel let down by Channel 4 - a channel I watch most often and normally enjoy.
    Posted by jacqueline whigham on 15/01/2009 12:59:14
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  61. Clearly all the "disgusted" and "horrified" people either missed or ignored the rather obvious warnings before every section of the programme? This is not to say i was not affected by various scenes (being a dog owner I turned away at certain points during the Vietnamese section), but I am fully aware of the futility of complaint over programmes about which we have been prewarned. All in all, judging from the other, less inane opinions I think the programme fulfilled its purpose even if the two gentlemen were unable to fulfil theirs. And I do not believe that feelings of squeamishness in this respect are in any way hypocritical. One does not generally witness the slaughter of one's bacon sandwich! A little nausea is most certainly to be expected.
    Posted by Lovie on 15/01/2009 12:58:37
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  62. Channel 4 is normally quite good on controversial programming. This programme however was too extreme....watching elephants being hunted in the wild and then gutted is not something i would call a must see. Dogs being kept in the most disgusting conditions and then being killed? I think for me it was the monkeys that was the worst, they do resemble a small child. My other issue is that there was no prior warning after the commercials saying that this programme contained graphic images..and the show was advertised in a way to mislead people into thinking it was something else! I understand however that those people living in africa or vietnam do kill animals for food...as we do. But to film it and then put it on tv is wrong! We dont have film crews in hospitals filming human beings dying so why should an animal suffer the embarrassment.
    Posted by cheryl on 15/01/2009 12:47:25
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  63. I watched some of "Could You Eat An Elephant" and found it most distressing. Whilst I understand we have to respect other cultures when visiting their countries, and the programme is a documentary of these apparently acceptable customs, I was annoyed that no comment was made at the end of the programme about this or that there was no helpline to call. Because we are a western country that does keep domestic pets, and intelligent, sentient creatures at that, there are a lot of issues to be raised - Is it legal in these countries to eat the animals, are there no welfare organisiations (I would assume not) to monitor the conditions the animals are kept in prior to slaughter, are there no Health and Safety regulations around the slaughter,preparation and cooking of meat,what organisations from Western Euorpe are attempting to address the issues of animal welfare and legalities in the east? I happen to be a supporter of WSPA, IFAW, WWF, and PETA so I know I can trust them to be looking into situations like these. Whilst it shocked me I do realise that the programme was informative and could raise awareness especially for people who want to be actively doing something in an appropriate manner. So my objection is that Channel 4 should have made it obvious that they were unable to act, but that are formal ways for the public to do something and link to organisations that I have mentioned or the relevant government department in each country to be lobbied.
    Posted by Ceris Handley on 15/01/2009 12:31:33
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  64. British people's tendency to distance themselves from the slaughter of the animals they eat may not be a symptom of 'sentimentality'. Isn't it infact an expression of an intrinsic decency and gentleness, and a symptom of a deep unease at the need(?) to kill our fellow animals? Surprisingly, the presenters were found to be perhaps as human as the rest of us. By the end, the idiot narration had become a contradiction to the real message of the programme. Anyone else notice that?
    Posted by Robert Pittam on 15/01/2009 12:19:24
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  65. ALL those who are sicken or squeamish about watching the show are all hypocrates. How will the human race survive without killin and eating animals? from yr own comfort zone in the west u can't just criticise other cultures.Some people live in poor conditions and just have to find something to eat.WHY wear leather shoes and buy leather bags which are all products of killed animals!!! Stop eatin Mcdonalds burgers,sausages etc if u don't want to eat animals.ALL hypocrates!!
    Posted by Ganan on 15/01/2009 12:16:13
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  66. I thought this programme oversteped the mark. I love the way Channel 4 always push the boundaries, but showing dogs in extreme distress, being killed, skinned and then cooked is a bit too far. It made me feel ill, and cannot stop thinking about it, and I'm a 20 year old, on the verge of having nightmares! It is a shame, since the programme could have been good, there was no real need to show dogs being poked with a stick, and hearing them yelp. I am aware that this show was to highlight the extreme differences in culture. But I feel the highly graphic nature of this programme was far far too extreme and highly unnecessary. This should have been toned down prior to broadcast. I feel channel four have done it again and furiated thousands that watched the show. Shame
    Posted by Lloydyboy on 15/01/2009 12:00:17
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  67. I found this programme extreemely disturbing, I did follow this journey from the begginging to the end, I was horrified at the disgusting conditions that these poor animals were being kept in, If I had my way people like that who treat animals with such disrespect would be locked up, how can people watch an animal be slaughted in an inhumane way and then happily sit and eat it on a plate! I do understand that there are very different cultures and that there are different beleifs when it comes to eating various meats but I'm sure you will all agree that all humans have a heart? Those poor dogs just tipped me over the edge, I found myself in tears I really wish there was more we could do to stop this terrible cruelty
    Posted by vicky on 15/01/2009 11:59:30
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  68. A really interesting idea for a program completely ruined by the fact they refused to eat so much of the food! Their shock and disgust at the dogs in Vietnam (how they just walk out while dining), to their refusal of even trying the meat in Namibia - where it's a life and death matter for the locals - was just offensive, showed no empathy for the people, and smacked of western arrogance. Next time C4, find some presenters that try to embrace the project and are prepared to leave their emotions at home.
    Posted by Peter on 15/01/2009 11:53:09
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  69. There are ALWAYS alternatives to eating meat.Period. The deeply shocking scenes of compassionless animal treatment will linger in the minds of anyone with an ounce of sensitivity. The pitiful scenes with the snake and helpless dogs were disgusting. There is simply no excuse for this sub human behaviour. The vietnemese DO have alternatives to these ingrained cultural practices, they simply CHOOSE not to use them. I prey for a world where all sentient creatures can live a life unfettered by the abusers and the likes of these two "chefs" on thier pointless and pathetic "culinary" adventures. Just go and eat an apple guys and wake up.
    Posted by Malcolm Yates on 15/01/2009 11:37:09
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  70. I cant beelive how disgusting that programme was, I was deeply upset and angry with what I witnessed. Its cruel and evil to kill innocent dogs for food when there is no need for it atall! Its not normal or humain! I hope this is banned as it should be, dogs are pets not food. I am outraged and hope that everyone else who feels this way complains as its totally unacceptable. I cannot express how upset it made me feel to see them poor animals caged up and treated so badly before they were cruelly murdered.
    Posted by Stephanie Jones on 15/01/2009 11:35:16
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  71. Personally, there was only one aspect of the show that truly sickened me and that was the barbaric slaughter of the snakes in Vietnam. Yes, we were forewarned that there would be distressing scenes, including those of animal slaughter, however correct me if I'm wrong, but the only overt scenes of slaughter was the horrific, prolonged, gratuitous scenes showing a cobra being sliced open, dismembered, and having its (still beating) heart torn out. It is not simply the graphic nature of the snake still wriggling in the steaming kitchen that bothers me most - I am quite an avid viewer of programmes such as these - it is the fact that it seemingly is acceptable to show torturous scenes when they are of animals such as snakes, which seemingly have far less aesthetic appeal than dogs and horses, of which the scenes were far more subtle and censored. It is that which I find most offensive as I feel that in this day and age when barbaric acts of cruelty to animals are so commonplace, surely television programmes such as this should be purporting that animals are equal, irrespective of how 'cute' and fluffy they are? I had hoped, originally, that this was what the programme had been trying to achieve; to not only show the different meats around the world, but to highlight that it is ignorant to dismiss dog eating as a taboo when it is simply dependent on cultures and values. Indeed we Brits with our penchant for cattle indeed offends many, yet often we appear to not acknowledge this as we are so set in our ways. I had hoped that perhaps the show could have emphasised that dog eating, for example, is completely the norm in other cultures and we simply cannot right it off as barbaric when we treat our factory farmed creatures just as badly. Being vegan, I am not blinkered to what happens, and certainly do not think that this programme warrants any form of complaint about the fundamental content. What I do hope is that people look beyond the 'shock' of seeing monkeys torn apart, dogs raised in the streets for food, and pretty little songbirds stolen from the trees and address the issue that irrespective of an animal's appearance, the sentimentality that's attached to it, or its apparent domestic nature; they are still an animal that feels pain, fear, and myriad other emotions. I hope that this struck a chord with some viewers and that they adapt it to their own eating habits that we seemingly accept so rationally.
    Posted by Pippa on 15/01/2009 10:34:58
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  72. To those who are arguing the point that its hyppocritical to be eating chicken,beef lamb in this counrty and to be completely disgusted by what the program showed, you have obviously had your head in the sand for the past few years. yes we do eat these things in this country but even this country has shaped up the way that we farm animals, there has been plenty in the news lately telling us how the country is improving. This isnt the case with our friends over seas they DONT give the animals a decent life, they ABUSE the animals, and they are intensly farmed atleast in this country we aim to give the animals a decent life!!! I personally think that the kiling of snakes, elephants and monkeys is completeley wrong these animals arent farmed and if they carry on they can be endagered!! A monkey for gods sake is the closest primate to a human! And the Dogs that should be abolished!!! farmed or not!!! Keeping a goat in your back garden is hardly the same as having your dog fetch a stick!! cmon there is no comparison!! If you couldnt see the hurt in them poor dogs eyes then you havent got a heart!! How many animanls eat dogs in the wild not many, so why should HUMANS, Ban it!!!
    Posted by lewis1 on 15/01/2009 10:04:35
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  73. I'm sorry my comment was not considered for publication. Maybe it was due to the suggestion of boycotting Channel 4 and cutting revenue as a protest at the explicit trailer and explotation of animals for entertainment. C'mon, I didn't think this channel censored everything like the Fox network.
    Posted by louise on 15/01/2009 10:01:07
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  74. The program was more than entertaining enough as weekday night television fodder, but it was neither original nor daring and certainly not worthy of the apparent "outrage" it has attracted amongst viewers. I do not believe it was offensive or disrespectful in the slightest. It was a documentary, not a political piece. We have seen similar on the likes of The F Word and Kill It, Cook It, Eat It. Why is this so different? I am a vegetarian, but I did not watch it with that in mind. I watched it as I would watch any documentary. If viewers really want to voice their opinions may I suggest that they switched over to BBC1 News at Ten. I think what I am referring to is pretty self-explanatory.
    Posted by Rufus Carter-Smith on 15/01/2009 10:00:24
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  75. I do not agree with all this talk of 'culture'. What has that got to do with suffering and killing? There is no need to eat animals.I do think though that the programme will make pet owning meat eaters think before they bite into their next animal........
    Posted by H Webber on 15/01/2009 01:54:16
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  76. This show was about cultural differences with regards to our definition of morally correct listed food types. It wasn't glorifying the slaughtering of animals, it wasn't meant to be disrespectful to animals. The problem is that some people fail to see the bigger picture and focus only upon the emotive aspects. If channel 4 didn't show it, it would still happen, this was merely educational and thought provoking. (closing your eyes doesn't make it go away)
    Posted by nic on 15/01/2009 01:24:20
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  77. Sarah b is mistaken, I will quote her if I may below: There is little we can do about how these animals are kept in foreign countries and to be honest, we shouldn't interfere. Just because we believe in something different, it doesn't make us right. This kind of attitude has been and is responsible for many wars. If we were to say the same about other situations,i.e: freedom of liberty - they're would be a lot of german speaking people in Britian.
    Posted by PAULINE1 on 15/01/2009 01:03:30
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  78. I don't understand the outrage at this programme. The 'dog lovers' don't seem to understand that in some countries, these 'taboo meats' are all the local population has available to them. If we have no emotional attachment to chickens and are happy to eat them, why then should it be disgusting for the natives shown to eat dogs, an animal which they see as a pest. I can understand a vegetarian being disgusted by this programme but not a meat eater who simply happens to like dogs. Also, I was dissapointed that the chefs wimped out and didn't try all of the different meats.
    Posted by jerry on 15/01/2009 00:26:31
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  79. I was very interested to read other people's comments on this programme. My view is that we need to accept and appreciate other culture's beliefs and customs. Whether we agree with them is our choice. One aspect I do have a problem with is the conditions that the animals are kept in before they are killed. The dogs in the small cages were especially disturbing. Whether animals are bread for pets or the table, we have a responsibility to respect them. There is little we can do about how these animals are kept in foreign countries and to be honest, we shouldn't interfere. Just because we believe in something different, it doesn't make us right. This kind of attitude has been and is responsible for many wars. We can, however make a difference about how our animals are kept. Many pets are abused and treated terribly and many chickens, ducks and pigs are intensively reered in this country. Buy free range and look after your pets!
    Posted by sarahb on 15/01/2009 00:23:45
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  80. Great idea for a programme, just wanted to point out a couple of things you unfortunately missed. Just a bit north of where you went in Italy, there is Arqua' Petrarca, home of the XIV century poet Francesco Petrarca. Speciality: musso (donkey). They make a magnificent type of goulash served with polenta, a shame to pass by that region without passing by for a dish! Very delicate meat, tastes like a cross between deer and horse meat. Horse meat is actually eaten everywhere in Italy, sold by butchers only in speciality butchers, whereas it can be sold in sealed packages even in Coops. Then on the topic of cooking things properly, you also missed the horse carpaccio! I made a beef carpaccio in Nagaland from a freshly slaughtered cow (killed in front of me) and nobody else wanted to eat it because it wasn't cooked on a fire. Consider the fact that I worked for five years in India and only the Vietnamese, Naga and Afgan cooking didn't send me sick to the toilet for 5 days! Another thing I'd like to add is that, as many of my colleagues are Vietnamese scientists, their preparations for rat, peacock and dog were always exceptionally well prepared and always enjoyable. Not the intestines of course, though personally I don't like any kind of tripe... Still better than 'roo rissoles or the jellied eel (though I do like the jellied eel myself...)
    Posted by Riccardo Gatta on 15/01/2009 00:01:08
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  81. I found the programme distressing but it most certainly did not set out to lend glamour to, judge or defend, various difficult aspects of man's supremacy over his environment. As a vegetarian pet owner the dog scene was particularly distressing. Satisfying hunger is one thing, taste preference quite another. As for that tired and distorting argument that meat eating is meat eating, be it shrimp or dog, please engage brain before turning on oven. Nature is continuum and balance; not one size fits all.
    Posted by PSR on 14/01/2009 23:52:00
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  82. a really interest program which should be taken with a open mind as this is how other cultures survive
    Posted by pauline from london on 14/01/2009 23:39:00
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  83. this programme is the worste programme ive seen in my life .. this should get banned .. i cant believe ude show it on tv .. it makes it worse that .. uve showed them killing the dogs and chucking them on a fire .. why would you do that .. the people in that country may not care but that has no reason for you to show us this .. we are 1 ov many countries that have dogs as pets not food !
    Posted by Lottie on 14/01/2009 23:37:14
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  84. i am very discusted at this programme. i cannot believe you ave shown such appauling things on tv. As a massive dog lover, i was so disturbed to see some of the scenes in this programe, that i had to turn the channel over to go and be sick. appauling really really dissapointed with channel 4 to think that people would enjoy this as entertainment....
    Posted by steph barker on 14/01/2009 23:32:23
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  85. I think this will be good for the vegetarian movement. As one i've long thought that those who deem it 'ok' to eat meat from animals that have been slaughtered inhumanly (or simply those that don't think or care about the suffering that their food has brought on a living creature) will get a shock when they they see animals they know to be loving & feeling human companions such as a dog or a horse meet their end, and hopefully this will trigger an understanding that has been missing that there is in fact no difference between a dog, a horse, a cow or indeed a human when it comes to inhumane treatment and slaughter. Watching a snippet of the programme and seeing the horse struggling to avoid going into the slaughter house was upsetting - it probably knew/sensed it's terrible fate. Animals have an acute sense of awareness and are very perceptive. They are not stupid (unlike so many humans!). I simply can't watch a dog being killed or eaten. That's too much C4. Eating meat is not wrong. The animal world will always have it's carnivours. But humans are supposedly on a 'higher' plain of intelligence, and that is why inhumane treatment and slaughter of animals is NEVER acceptable no matter the mundaneness of the act in the human culture that permits the suffering to take place.
    Posted by Daran on 14/01/2009 23:31:11
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  86. While this was an interesting program I was disappointed that they stopped short of trying all the food presented to them. Was this through genuine repulsion / moral outrage or because of the flack that would be received from eating dog or monkey on TV? I appreciate peoples personal feelings it is blatently hypocritical to say that certain animals are OK to eat and others not. Also a wasted opportunity to try some new sources of protein! I'd have eaten everything!
    Posted by Hermonculous on 14/01/2009 23:25:45
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  87. It appears that we as the British public enjoy living in a world of ignorance. Is it not better to understand, in a cultural context how other species are utilised as a source of food in other cultures? Raising animal welfare standards can only occur if we know about the conditions that programmes such as this raise our attention to. The chefs dealt with uncomfortable issues but did it in a responsible way - no apologies required for widening our narrow Eurocentric views!
    Posted by Emma on 14/01/2009 23:19:31
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  88. Its not promoting the killing of dogs, monkeys, elephants etc. Im watching it now and it's not making me want to go eat my neighbours dog. All its doing is showing how other cultures survive.
    Posted by J on 14/01/2009 23:19:15
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  89. I am absolutely disgusted. Just sickened. I don't know why anyone thinks they have the right to eat any other animal, whether 'taboo', farmed or wild. It's completely unnecessary considering that a vegtarian or vegan diet is the healthiest, and I don't think 'because it tastes nice' is justification for causing pain and suffering to other intelligent beings (would you eat a human baby because it tastes nice?)
    Posted by Disappointed on 14/01/2009 23:18:51
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  90. I must say im watching it now, im only 17years old but im SICKENED by some cultures and countrys way of thinking, and to Shaunas comment so bascially your saying that the vientnmeise couldnt survive without dog meat? I think they could, hardly a vital part of the diet is it? Something needs to be dont, its appauling that there arnt rules about what can be dont and is aloud, especially the dogs in Vietnam it sickend me seeing 6dogs being kept in a pathetically tiny cage being abused even before being killed, they should be ashamed. And for elephants how could someone eat such a elegant creature its pathetic and unneccesary. This programme certanlly opened my eyes to some of the terrible things which go on in the world which NOTHING is being done about. Anyone invovled or doing this on a day to day basis thinking its normal should be completely ashamed and sickend with themselves with killing such innocent animals with such purposes and meanings.
    Posted by Anon on 14/01/2009 23:13:29
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  91. I find it tragic that in a so-called opened minded society, such as Britain, we still have such archaic, feudal attitudes to other cultures! It's plain hypocritical to condemn eating horse, dog, elephant .... all the while munching on your chicken burger, or beef steak. What this program is trying to achieve is to highlight the fact that the British attitude to food is closed-minded, prudish, and ridiculously hypocritical. I wonder how many of the people who complained on here about "caged dogs" buy eggs from battery hens? And how many who are unhappy about other cultures eating horse happily eat chicken, beef, pork, lamb. By their standards of sentimentality, surely a lamb shouldn't be eaten, because it's a young, baby sheep, and "we shouldn't kill baby animals",and we should cease eating venison because we all loved "Bambi". It's just plain silly. The fact is that we British are so used to having our meat come in a little polystyrene box covered with cling film, bought from a faceless supermarket chain, which bears absolutely no resemblance to the cow, or pig that was butchered, that we've forgotten that meat comes from animals that are killed, and lots of blood, guts, and knives are involved in this process - whether you see an African tribesman doing it on channel 4 or not. In dog-consuming countries such as Vietnam, and Korea, dogs are raised largely for the purpose of meat, and are kept as pets as often as a Brit would keep a goat as a pet - it happens, but they don't attach the same sentimentality to it as we do. And as for the "cruel treatment" of the dogs - i wonder how many of you know exactly what goes on in many slaughterhouses across the UK? It makes me laugh how many people have already said they are going to complain to Ofcom, before the show has even aired ... and without even planning to watch it. People seem to have gone mad, how on earth can you judge it, if you haven't even seen it, or even better, experienced it first hand, as I have during my travels. When will the British public wake up and realise that far from being a multicultural, diverse, accepting nation, most of us are in fact bigoted hypocrites who are all too quick to express disgust at the cultures of others, without taking a good look at our own.
    Posted by Chris in Birmingham/Beijing on 14/01/2009 23:09:50
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  92. Having watched half the program, the chefs don't want to eat any animals that are not humanely treated. You have to remember that the animals being eaten are one of the food sources available in the countries visited. Just because we have got squeamish about eating some animals doesn't mean that others share the same view. By the way, how many have posted in support of the beetles eaten?
    Posted by Phil T on 14/01/2009 23:05:24
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  93. Absolutely vile!!!All pretty bad but the dog part is disgusting and unecessary in this day and age!!Disgusted!!
    Posted by Disgusted on 14/01/2009 23:02:18
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  94. animal cruelty!! should be banned dont agree with it!!
    Posted by ash on 14/01/2009 23:01:30
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  95. There wasnt even a warning before this trailer and should of been, i love animals and DO NOT like suffering in any way.. i am discusted that channel 4 would show this, we all know what goes on in the world in regards to animal cruelty.. even this trailer is going to give me nightmares. i am appalled by this
    Posted by lianne on 14/01/2009 22:59:37
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  96. these guys missed the point, its supposed to be exploring the prejudices, but thats not the point, these animals arent killed humanely in the slightest, anyone would have a problem with that
    Posted by 3low on 14/01/2009 22:50:39
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  97. Who is the narrator ?
    Posted by patrick on 14/01/2009 22:47:09
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  98. please could you tell me who the narrator is on could you eat an elephant
    Posted by gillian armstrong on 14/01/2009 22:46:06
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  99. We all know that different cultures eat so called taboo meats.They have no choice. We choose not to eat these as we no longer have togo out and hunt for dinner, we visit the shops.
    Posted by Gillian on 14/01/2009 22:41:51
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  100. I would just like to comment on how gratefull I am for channel 4 showing a program like this. I expect you will receive alot of complaints concerning cruelty etc and vegetarians ranting on and looing down theyre nose at meat eaters. I am 17 years old and I am sick of Brittish citizens being so bland and so hypocrytical about waht they eat. People have lost so much about theyre heritage and ways of living its no wonder we are viewed as the "cotton wool" generation. Excellent program I dont agree with the eatings of some animals and the way they are butchered however it is not my culture an I have to respet that.
    Posted by murrayf3 on 14/01/2009 22:38:01
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  101. can everyone not just realise that taking an interest in what people eat is a good thing? an up to date trendy veggie cooking show is the last thing i want to hear about fergus henderson is one of the best chefs around these days im loving it
    Posted by andrew on 14/01/2009 22:36:43
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  102. I don't even know where to beging expressing my total and utter disgust with this programme, and it isn't even half way through. I can appreciate those of you who will excuse this display of greed and total disrespect of the animal kingdom, as 'introduction to other cultures'. But the simple fact is that NONE of the people who were preparing these meals were starved to the point where fruit or vegetables or even the mass produced genetically mutated cows pigs chickens sheep goats and fish could not have been a fisrt option. This is nothing more than a wanton display of the arrogance and greed of a humanity which has been completely trnsformed from living in harmony and balance with nature. we hunt when we are hungry or starved to live, we are being conditioned to 'feast' and stuff ourselves with things we just don't need to. shame on you Channel 4 and anyone else who thinks this is something to be celebrated!!
    Posted by Disgusted on 14/01/2009 22:33:19
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  103. The fact is, we eat meat, in all cultures, everywhere. What a fantastic insight into what people eat elsewhere. People who don't eat meat will always protest about programmes like this. If you don't like it, don't watch it, and spend more time perfecting your dressing for your 3 bean salad xxx
    Posted by Natpike on 14/01/2009 22:30:51
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  104. Judging by the trailer I think the idea behind this program is awful. It is completely unnecessary and not entrainment.
    Posted by Mike Moran on 14/01/2009 22:26:10
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  105. i find it so revolting, what is this world coming to!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Posted by p on 14/01/2009 22:25:03
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  106. If you are a veggie or animal lover just don't watch and let us enjoy a truly interesting programme from a forward thinking channel. What offends me is that it's on after Celeb Big Brother. Complain about that cross if you have to complain about anything.
    Posted by DrAmnesiac on 14/01/2009 22:14:15
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  107. Yeah - go eat that elephant. Animals have spent millions of years evolving so that they can eat other animals. It is going on anyway and I agree it is educational and should be shown. If you don't want to watch it - don't watch it!
    Posted by C Sparling on 14/01/2009 21:32:11
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  108. Words cannot express my utter disgust and despair, animals have a hard enough time being reared for meat in this country but in places like Asia the animals are abused and butchered mercilessly,so rather than commission a programme trying to do something positive to relieve the suffering you are promoting the eating of elephants,dogs,monkeys etc etc... What a vile idea for a programme if you want to be really radical how about an up to date,trendy veggie cooking show.Disgusting.
    Posted by shelly in Wimbledon. on 14/01/2009 18:17:50
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  109. What an upsetting trailer. You just know what to expect to see on this programme. I will not be watching this. What was the last programme you showed? Kill It, Skin It, Wear It. And no i did not watch this either. What a shame of the suffering these animals go through. These trailers unfortunately stay in you mind so please stop showing them!
    Posted by c on 14/01/2009 17:37:27
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  110. It's not as if the guys are sat in an english restaurant eating these animals, they are going to an area where it is culture, tradition and often necessary to eat such things. Channel four is diving into this to teach us more about these cultures, and the guys are simply testing whether they could see eating such things as "the norm" it is not horrific, and channel 4 are not getting unusual animals killed purely for an audience, its how the cultures survive! I personaly believe in free range and organic meat, if i choose to eat it - however i would love the knowledge of cultures around the world and think others should open their minds to it aswel!!!!!!!!!!
    Posted by Shauna on 14/01/2009 17:29:04
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  111. I am totally enraged that channel 4 would show this programme. We as the public are already aware of these barbaric and inhumane methods of storing, killing and eating of animals that are still allowed to go on in this so called civillised world. We do not need channel 4 to fund 2 chefs to go out there and show us.I was appalled when I saw the advert for this programme and I will not be watching it. It would be more fitting if you spent the budget you used on making this programme on funding to have these inhumane acts stopped.
    Posted by Carol on 14/01/2009 17:04:00
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  112. I am against the slaughtering and suffering of animals, that is a fact. However, these things are occuring around the world and in some countries it is acceptable to eat certain animals. No matter how much we protest, this is the way some people live. This programme shows this and why not?! It's real life. If you don't like it, don't watch it. Plain & simple.
    Posted by Melissa on 14/01/2009 14:49:46
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  113. I find this tv programme sickening and I'm definitely not going to watch it. Killing and eating ANY animal, be it an elephant or a chicken, is basically WRONG. Most people in the UK feel this way regarding those so called "taboo" animals so why don't they feel the same way about cows, pigs etc - they're all animals aren't they? What is the difference!? And exactly what are they trying to prove - that's it's manly and brave to kill animals? It is pointless and disgusting.
    Posted by Kim on 14/01/2009 13:57:28
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  114. i cant believe channel 4 are showing this, or even TV is showing this. I agree with Jaquie, the world wouldnt be so horrible if it wasnt for nasty poachers, hunters, etc. I am completely horrified that they are showing not only the consumption of the animals but the death as well. i have enough trouble expressing my view about the death of 'English' meat, but now this. Eyean i have read your comment and i think ANY animal killed for humans 'pleasure' is obseen! so i am not just critiscising this program just because the animals they kill might be a dog which is a pet or an endangered species like an elephant.
    Posted by aandj on 14/01/2009 12:33:13
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  115. i could not even watch the advert! i find the images horrific, especially the dogs in tiny cages. found this as upsetting as watching human abuse. i shal be putting a complaint in...there is no need to glamorise the suffering of animals
    Posted by terence on 14/01/2009 10:36:06
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  116. Surely the point of the programme is to show that our attititudes towards eating certain types of meat and not others stem from tradition and fear of the unknown. If you are willing to eat meat then how can you justify taking one life over another? I don't think anyone is suggestible enough that they're going to watch this programme and stick the family dog in the oven, but if fear you are just turn onto Celebrity Pet Dancing On Ice on the other channel instead for some education-free fun.
    Posted by Eyean on 14/01/2009 09:36:47
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  117. I am gravely dissapointed that Channel 4 has chosen to broadcast this programme. The barbaric treatment of animals should be condemmed not glamourised. There is nothing sensational about skinning animals alive! I will be complaining to Ofcom regarding the tone of the programme, it is disgusting.
    Posted by Jo23 on 14/01/2009 08:58:53
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  118. The biggest problem is the inhumane conditions these animals are kept in to be consumed - sick ideas...
    Posted by Mizz on 13/01/2009 23:40:30
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  119. I agree with Jaquie and have sumbitted a complaint to channel four.
    Posted by Vicky on 13/01/2009 21:44:37
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  120. I find it very distasteful that these animals are killed purely for t.v. I do not object if people are starving and are forced to eat to stay alive but as entertainment it is degrading to all concerned.
    Posted by P. Walker on 13/01/2009 21:09:02
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  121. I am not happy that this programme was made. We do have taboo food in this country and to glorify eating these animals is not good. It is more to do with the welfare of these animals prior to eating, dogs are kept in such terrible conditions and from what I've heard are not killed humanely.
    Posted by Pauline on 13/01/2009 20:56:04
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  122. I completely agree with Jaquie.
    Posted by Emilie on 13/01/2009 20:35:07
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  123. Keep to the maggots and leave our precious animals alone. Try a few bluebottles that haveve eaten animal poo as well. Get your elephant that way.
    Posted by Joan on 13/01/2009 20:34:44
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  124. The message this programme is saying - it is ok to eat any type of animal as long as we humans can consume it. I am shocked that Channel 4 is allowing this programme to air, all animals, birds, reptiles are not here for us to eat, the quicker we realise this the better this world would be to live in. There is enough food on this earth without the greed from certain chefs to display their "culinary skills" by having dog or horse on their menu in their "exclusive" restaurants. It is disgusting.
    Posted by jaquie on 13/01/2009 14:44:07
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