It can be compared on the basis of morals. If you believe it's acceptable to kill an eat an animal, but not a human, it gives a clear representation of where your morals lie.
With the global norm?
Yeah.
An why most people having such double standards, are not in a fit position to make a sound judgement on how animals should be treated. An that's the same reason why you don't understand the comparison.
So everyone except crazy PETA people are wrong then? A cow's life is as valuable as any humans' life?
Not everybody who cares about animals is a member of peta. An a cows life is just as valuable as a humans life, in my opinion. Of course most people would disagree, because their biased.