What does the bible have to say about eating animals?

I know that religion and politics are best avoided, as they will undoubtedly lead to conflict, but then again we are already dealing with what is a contentious issue, so why not.

So lets start at the beginning.

Genesis 1:29-31Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. ³⁰And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground-everything that has the breath of life in it- I give every green plant for food." And it was so. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning-the sixth day.

If I am not missing something, then it is pretty clear, but presumably I am missing something, otherwise wouldn't all Christians be vegans?

I have seen it said on several occasions that the Garden of Eden was vegan and animals were not exploited in any way. In view of the damage that meat and dairy production is inflicting on the Earth,  if one believes in the creation, surely God did not create the earth for it to be exploited and damaged beyond repair in order that humans can eat the creatures that were also created to live in harmony with us. 

In 2006, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization reported that the world’s meat-producing industry contributes more greenhouse gases (which cause global warming) into the Earth’s atmosphere than the emissions of all cars, trucks, airplanes, and trains put together. Animal agriculture is also the main factor in deforestation and water pollution throughout the world. Converting plant food into meat wastes approximately 78 percent of the protein, up to 96 percent of the calories, and all of the fibre.

Many Christians appear to believe that humans have dominion over animals, but surely the humane and compassionate treatment of animals also  contained in the bible completely contradicts this. In the same way that once, not too long ago, many humans believed that it was acceptable to take ownership of another human being, i.e. for slavery, and this now thankfully is no longer the case, it is my belief that one day we will all see that dominion over animals for our own greed and consumption of their flesh and fluids is not acceptable.

Romans 14:21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.

Assuming that brother or sister is not be taken in the literal sense, does this imply that all creatures, including humans and animals are considered as one?

There was an interesting article in the UK newspaper The Guardian in March 2018, which suggested that due to modern day meat production and farming methods that no meat could be considered kosher and went on to suggest that many members of the Jewish faith should consider veganism as it is naturally kosher and therefore a safe food choice for many Jews.

As quoted in this article, “The world has changed. We don’t have a choice. We must become vegan,” says religious scholar, Asa Keisar, a figurehead of the campaign for Jewish veganism. “There is no kosher meat at all.”

Still in Genesis and we have the first of what appear to be many contradictions, or at least tweaks to what seemed like a pretty good story.

Genesis 9:3-4“Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it.”

Surely if it is all about spirituality then not eating meat is a lot closer to being truly spiritual than taking the life of another to feed ones self.

Didn't the bible also say thou shalt not kill? I will leave that one with you.