In John Hastie’s profession, it is not unusual for his hands to be covered in blood as he severs a beast limb from limb whilst his ears absorb the crunching sounds of bones breaking.

 

When he was thirteen-years-old, Mr Hastie started working for his father at the family butchery in Helensburgh.

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Animal carcasses have never fazed him.

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“My father’s passion for it all was definitely a driving force in me working to where I am today.

I have – “.

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He pauses to answer the phone at his office desk. “Good Morning, Hastie’s Top Taste Meats, this is John,” he said.

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After taking the order for a kilogram of mince and four T-bone steaks, Mr Hastie sits back in his chair as manager of the butchery in Wollongong.

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“Though from the time dad ran the business to today, times have definitely changed - things were a lot easier back then, there were less restrictions and a lot less paperwork to do,” he said.

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But Mr Hastie knows that beyond restrictions and paperwork, there are changes that go beyond the walls of the butchery.

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Veganism is a lifestyle choice which is gaining momentum in Illawarra and does not support any butcher.

 

“It definitely doesn’t help our business. If there was a higher percentage of vegans – we would have a lot less business,” Mr Hastie said.

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The store manager understands it is a personal choice, but says people need to be sure they are sustaining their health.

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“With people who are vegans, I say each to their own. However, if I was to pass an opinion, I believe people were born to eat meat. We’re carnivores and people need a strong source of Iron which comes from your red meat,” Mr Hastie said.

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“I have nothing against them, apart from the fact that we still need to keep our meat industry going but I accept that it’s a personal choice”.

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The butcher is confident that he will not face any real commercial struggles due to veganism in the area any time soon.