I don't know that I find eating animals repulsive, at least not yet. I do know that any animal would much prefer that I didn't.
What I do find repulsive is what that particular argument reveals about the human. People find sex with animals disgusting. Fair enough, because it is at the very least a health hazard. And if that's your justification, say so. But if you say you want to protect animals, and then eat them, you are a villain by any measure.
Maybe I've got this government official all wrong though, she might be a vegan who would never kill a spider.
I've always found the consent argument even more offensive for the same reasons. They aren't competent to show consent to sex by their own actions, but killing them without obtaining consent is just peachy.