"I don't want to hear, as a bloke with an omnivore gut, about fluffy little bunnies, luvvy-duvvy pink piggies, chuckie-hens, baa-lambs or whatever"

The argument from cuteness sort of breaks down when you get to turkeys ;-)

I do think, though, that our preferences are strongly influenced by our feelings about particular beasts. For example, in my student days, our impoverished household would buy horsemeat, but some full-fledged meat-eaters wouldn't touch it because of their fondness for the species. Others might balk at dogs or cats for the same reason.

But, as you say, "Emotions are one thing. Ecology is an entirely other." I couldn't agree more. (Although I also agree with Hume when he says, "Reason is, and only ought to be, a slave to the passions.")