An article by Guardian writer and vegan campaigner George Monbiot has caused a stir on social media, after he said "the last argument for farming animals has now collapsed."
Mr Monbiot's article, titled 'Goodbye – and good riddance – to livestock farming', says livestock farming is a "modern day monstrosity" comparable to "slavery", "the subjugation of women" and "judicial torture."
The article states that livestock farming must end and make way for plant-based diets, and that the vast areas of countryside should be used for rewilding.
The article concludes: "The end of animal farming might be hard to swallow. But we are a resilient and adaptable species. We have undergone a series of astonishing changes: the adoption of sedentarism, of agriculture, of cities, of industry.
"Now it is time for a new revolution, almost as profound as those other great shifts: the switch to a plant-based diet."
However, social media has criticised Mr Monbiot's controversial views.
Twitter user John Dennison said: "The article you cite is flawed and biased and bizarrely actually does the job of agribusiness PR. You've been duped by the vegan religion!"
Gerwyn Owen said: "What a sad place the world would look without farm animals. UK countryside would look a mess. Tourist industry and countryside would suffer"
Twitter user Jay, on what to do with livestock animals in the advent of a shift to a plant-based diet, said: "What's your preferred method? Genocide, exile to Mars or sterilisation?"
Equipe á Grumeaux said: "I gather eggs from our own chooks, and buy milk from a local family dairy farm. I don't intend to be a pale and undernourished vegan."
Twitter user ScrewBrexit explained: "Also, by the way, lots of people like meat. I hardly touch it, but not everyone is the same - you can't force your views on other people."
Atomic Finger light hearteningly said: "You'll have to take my Bacon from my cold dead hand."