Greenpeace wants us to eat kangaroos

From February's issue of Reason, Katherine Mangu-Ward discusses an October report from Greenpeace where they argue that a switch from beef to kangaroo would greatly reduce greenhouse gases and be terrific for the environment (although not so great for kangaroos).

Report author Dr Mark Diesendorf said reducing beef consumption by 20 per cent and putting Skippy on the dinner plate instead would cut 15 megatonnes of greenhouses gases from the atmosphere by 2020.

"Kangaroos do not emit greenhouse gases. They are not hooved animals either so they don't damage the soil,'' Dr Diesendorf said.

So what's the problem (other than wimpy eaters)? It seems that kangaroo meat is tightly controlled in Australia:

The Greenpeace report has renewed calls for Victoria to lift a ban on harvesting roos for food.

Kangaroo Industry Association of Australia spokesman John Kelly said roos invading farmers' crops were already being illegally shot.

"They are being culled and left to rot," Mr Kelly said.

Apparently, kangaroo is also low in fat, high in protein, iron, zinc-- and flavor. In other words, unlike Miller Lite, it's lass filling and it tastes great. Of course, it's also important to note that kangaroo tastes like chicken. (Just kidding!)

Have any of you eaten roo before?