Meat, and therefore the meat industry, isn't essential. A well-planned vegan diet is perfectly healthy and nutritionally adequate for all ages, including children [0,1,2,3,4].

[0] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27886704/

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19562864/Die

[2] http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/disease-prevention/...

[3] https://www.dietitians.ca/Downloads/Factsheets/Guidlines-for...

[4] https://www.bda.uk.com/foodfacts/vegetarianfoodfacts.pdf