This is perhaps an uncommon dilemma to be presented here, but the recent threads on Kosher and Halal food, and Ramadan have caused to me to ponder this issue.
I raise sheep and goats, and work/am studying in the livestock industry, specifically small ruminant management and medicine. Currently, it is very popular to raise specialty lambs (and kids) for the "ethnic" markets, typically for people of Bosnian, Chinese, Hispanic, Indian, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, etc. descent, and usually, though not always, specifically for certain holidays- Id al-Fitr (breaking of the Ramadan fast), Easter, Mardi Gras, Passover, and so forth.
Producers are more than happy to supply for these markets, which typically pay very well, and the customers typically desire smaller and often uncastrated lambs.
Is there a moral issue in producing lambs specifically for these holidays, if they are against the Faith? Obviously, Easter, Christmas, Independence Day, and others are acceptable, but what about Muslim and Jєωιѕн holidays? What about Greek Orthodox holidays, especially their Easter?
What about advising shepherds on this issue? Many are looking to practice accelerated lambing in order to meet these markets in an effort to stay afloat in this economy. A good many of these people will not look into alternative markets- they want to practice standard commercial farming but bring in more income.
Personally, I feel it's wrong to support or even appear to support the feast days of false religions even if it's only selling them a lamb. I suppose one could argue that selling vegetables or other foods or products could also go to that use, and that not much can be done about it. I really don't have a problem with selling lamb to anyone for day-to-day use, just the holidays bother me. And I would never allow Halal slaughter on the farm, as Muslim customers typically wish to practice (and generally leave an atrocious mess).
I suppose I ask this question more from the morality standpoint of a Catholic working with and advising non-Catholic producers on this issue.