Category: Factory Farming

Food production has drastically changed over the course of human history. The process of cultivating food from raw materials to the preparation of cooked dishes has transformed entirely. Animal husbandry first began more than 10,000 years ago during the so-called Neolithic Age when humans began domesticating animals such as dogs and sheep. This concept is a branch of agriculture concerned with the domestication of, care for, and breeding of animals such as dogs, cattle, horses, sheep, goats, pigs, and other like creatures. Today, our current system of animal agriculture has become an extremely intensive, unethical, and unsustainable operation known as factory farms or CAFOs (concentrated animal food operations) playing an immense role in food production. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) are government organizations that are responsible for a multitude of public health regulations and guidelines. The FDA deals with the safety and efficacy of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices, as well as ensuring the security of our nation’s food supply. The USDA serves to establish proper guidance on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, and nutrition to preserve our nation. Both operate on a grand measure and are responsible for shaping the future of our food, health, and agriculture. There are numerous pressing issues within this industry, such as food borne illnesses, undocumented farm workers, health concerns behind the guidelines set by the USDA and FDA, farm conditions, and so on. There is very little that is being addressed on a political scale. However, it is imperative to explore the transparency and logistics of these two institutions to determine whether there is conflict to be drawn.

Important to realize, the USDA sets the dietary guidelines for Americans every five years. Within these are key recommendations as far as what general dietary patterns individuals ought to follow to live a healthy life. While they do have fairly beneficial information to offer, there is some conflict as to whether outside sources may be influencing these guidelines. During the bush administration the chief of staff of the USDA was the former chief lobbyist to the beef industry and the head of the FDA was the former vice president of the national food processers association. These regulatory agencies are being controlled by the very companies they’re supposed to be scrutinizing. Not only is this extremely alarming but, in their most recent guidelines the USDA states that these recommendations reflect existing systemic reviews, meta-analyses, and reports by federal agencies or leading scientific organizations. However, there is an overwhelming amount of contemporary research that contradicts many of the guidelines set out by the USDA as well as numerous organizations such as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American College of Cardiology that advocate against many of the USDA recommendations.

Moreover, during the 1980s, farmers in the United States were facing a severe economic crisis. Family-owned farms were confronted with financial catastrophe predominantly affected by federal guidelines. In 1979 the Federal Reserve tightened its monetary policy, which in turn, caused interest rates to soar to levels never before seen. This change directly affected farm families severely. Not to mention the concurrent plummeting status of farms and the nations rising farm debt. Unfortunately, farm debt is currently increasing putting farmers out of work or forcing them to borrow more money to keep up with the demand from businesses in fear of losing a contract(s). Moreover, investigations have led to the findings of an unprecedented number of undocumented workers on farms. However, the very same organizations/businesses hiring these workers face little to no repercussions when these workers are arrested and lose their jobs.

Furthermore, modern agricultural systems have implemented a myriad of unorthodox farming practices in order to increase profits and efficiency. These techniques involve breeding animals to grow at a much larger and faster rate than natural, pumping them full of hormones and antibiotics, shuttling their feces into lagoons that create dead zones, keeping them enclosed and crammed by the thousands, inhumane slaughtering, and complete disregard for providing a sanitary environment. In fact, the farming environment in which they are grown in raises many health concerns. Cattle being the most alarming of them all, especially with how many outbreaks of food borne illnesses that have been associated with contaminated meat. In the 1970s there were thousands of slaughterhouses. Today there are only 13 that process the majority of beef that is sold in the United States. The average hamburger today contains pieces of meat from about a thousand different cows, so the odds increase exponentially that one of these cows were carrying a harmful pathogen. In a typical factory farm of cattle, cows are fed a corn diet as opposed to the evolutionary standard of a grass-fed diet which causes many issues. One being that this unnatural eating pattern leads to cows becoming too big too quickly. Another being that a corn diet promotes the growth of bacteria in their gut known as E. coli, specifically acid resistant E. coli which is extremely harmful to our health. Seeing that the FDA regulates livestock feed is awfully worrisome. Outbreaks of acid resistant strains of E. coli such as ‘O157H7’ has led to many deaths across the U.S. in recent years. In these feed lots cows are sitting ankle-deep in their manure all day long and are being slaughtered by the thousands daily resulting in meat becoming contaminated with feces. This practice leads to a number of cows becoming sick in which the farmers then incorporate antibiotics into the feed. In doing so, antibiotics have built up resistance and are mildly effective. Due to their exposure to these, the farmers develop allergies to most if not all antibiotics.4 Furthermore, in the United States alone 30% of our land, if not more, is committed to the production of corn. This is largely driven by government policy allowing for corn to be grown below the cost of production. Stricken by large multinational interest, further advancing the corn-based diet fed to cattle. Comparatively, the status of sustainability within our food system is currently failing. Current farming methods and dietary recommendations thereof, imply a disregard for the future of our food.

Correspondingly, their seems to be an incredible lack of regulations in which safety inspections ought to be conducted to make current farming practices more sanitary as well as implementing regulations that would forbid certain procedures. In 1972, the FDA conducted approximately 50,000 food safety inspections. In 2006, the FDA conducted 9,164. As farming techniques transform with the aid of biotechnology one would think that this would limit the dangers of animal agriculture, but quite the opposite seems to be taking place. Not mention the unethical treatment and practices done to these animals. A large portion of the meat and other animal products found in most grocery stores are factory farmed. Factory farming is geared toward maximizing the amount of product possible in the shortest amount of time making it the most efficient and profitable way to farm. But this practice entails numerous cruel methods of farming all without use of anesthesia. Due to the confines of these animals (not being able to turn around in some cases) they become mentally and emotionally unstable and as a result begin to peck, bite, and kick one another. As a result, baby chicks are debeaked by a hot metal surface, cows have their tails docked and are dehorned, pigs are castrated, and male chicks are tossed into a grinder alive because they cannot lay eggs. Animals on these farms suffer from disease and the deliberate mishandling of workers. These cruel and unusual practices are merely a glimpse of the horror that occurs inside factory farms. Words cannot do it justice for the agony these animals undergo. As mentioned before the FDA and USDA have little regulation over this and merely enforce those in place. Although, as more footage is leaked about what is really happening on these farms these agencies will have to increase regulations at some point. Unfortunately, there are currently laws known as ‘ag-gag’ laws that prevent footage to be taken on farms where these practices may be occurring as it can lead to civil lawsuits against those filming by farms/businesses.

As has been noted, the production of food from farm requires immense reform on a political scale. The clarity of agencies such as the FDA and USDA are lacking toward consumers. Numerous considerable health matters are prevalent amongst our current system of animal agriculture. Many of which are detrimental to our environment and well-being. Farmers and farm workers are being exploited by agencies that seem to have control of the entire agriculture industry. There are many devastating matters taking place within our current food production system, some of which may be too late address.

This has been a complex and sometimes controversial issue. Veganism is a diet that excludes all animal products and byproducts. People become vegan or a variety of reasons, sometimes for ethics or maybe for health benefits. Our planet has about seven billion people with many different beliefs and cultures. They eat various types of diets, including vegan. There has been an ever-growing list as to why meat free eating would be beneficial to our planet and our health. Counterclaims to veganism is that a person that lives in a big city, drives a car, and possibly smokes cigarettes but is vegan, would be more harmful to our environment than a meat eater person that lives in the country. Many will argue that it is impossible to consume essential nutrients that the body requires when a person eats a vegan diet.

Food production currently includes injecting animals with hormones and antibiotics which can increase risk of diseases. The main advantage of a vegan diet is decreased risk of obesity and heart disease. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has been proactive in educating people on the benefits of animal free diets. They also promote animal rights by teaching the public about animal cruelty. Animal products such as meat, dairy and eggs typically contain higher amounts of fats than fruits, vegetables and grains. Fats takes more time, effort and extra specific enzymes to be broken down and digested when compared to protein or carbohydrates. I have personally been vegan for over 30 years, it did not start because I am an animal rights activist. I was 10 years old and my family had stopped at a fast food rest stop, I ate a burger and fell asleep. A few hours later I was violently ill, this lasted for 3 days. After being so sick, we were told it was probably food poisoning. I never ate red meat again, I slowly phased out animal products one by one, eventually not consuming any at all. I now live as a vegan, my children and husband are not. I have no issue with them consuming fish or chicken and will even prepare it for them. Food choices have become increasing varied, it’s not just pasta and vegetables anymore. In an experiment at the University of Bochum,” 90% of the students didn’t notice that their “beef goulash” was vegan. The availability of vegan gourmet food is increasing rapidly too.”. Although studies have suggested that people who eat a vegan diet tend to lack certain nutrients which can only be found in meat. The risk of being underweight or malnourished is higher from lack or some fat from meat. Lastly, protein supplements like nuts, tofu and soybeans may not be enough for the vegetarians to substitute as meat. There are many ways to avoid these issues by consuming protein supplements and taking vitamins.

In conclusion, after thirty years of consuming a vegan diet and regular checkups, I am healthy, my cholesterol is perfect, and I maintain a healthy weight. For me, it is easy and enjoy trying new vegan products. I can go to a burger king drive thru, although not the healthiest option, and order a vegan whopper. I do require “extra” B12 and like to take supplements, but I am able to get the required amount of protein by body needs and I feel great. Veganism is not for everyone but for me, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

Factory farming is when a large quantity of livestock is raised in large indoor facilities for their by-products and offspring. There are a total of 19,961 factory farming facilities in the U.S. alone. (“Number of concentrated”). Factory farming allows farmers to manage their livestock more efficiently and it enables them to keep up with the high demand for meat and other livestock by-products. Factory farming allows livestock farmers to use their farms more efficiently by taking up less space, using less maintenance, and taking less time to manage the livestock. However, it causes animal suffrage, it also causes environmental pollution, and is a risk to human and animal health.

While allowing farmers to use their land more efficiently factory farming causes animal suffrage. Factory farming causes animal suffrage because they cram all the livestock into confined areas with little to no room to move. Farmers use livestock barns because they take up less space than letting the animals roam in fields. Sinilong states “The reality also is that most animals are penned up all day and night, with the amount of sunshine scientifically controlled. There is also automation to provide the animals with food, water, and an occasional change of air, so the farmer may not even need to “visit” his animals more than once a day.” (Sinilong). All laying hens are packed into cages with no room to flap their wings and often become paralyzed. Animals have to stand in their feces all day and often become ill because of it. The article “Factory Farms Produce Meat In Unethical Ways” states that “the animals are not seen as individual, sentient beings with unique physical and psychological needs but as eggs, milk, meat, leather, etc.” (“Factory Farms”). The article “Factory Farms Produce Meat In Unethical Ways” also states that “Since the animals are seen as mere commodities, they are bred, fed, confined, and drugged to lay more eggs, birth more offspring, and die with more meat on their bones.” (“Factory Farms”). Animals in factory farms aren’t well taken care of and they suffer until they are slaughtered or they die off on their own.

Because factory farming allows farmers to do less maintenance, it leads to the environment becoming more polluted. Factory farms pollute the environment through the air and water. Urine, feces, and other waste from the livestock are stored in lagoons. A lagoon is a pond that collects wastewater from factory farms. However when the lagoons flood the contaminated rainwater runs into nearby land, rivers, and lakes that people swim in and animals drink from, causing a health risk for both humans and animals. Stueuer states in his article that “Up to 1 billion tons of manure is generated by livestock operations every year, much of it from CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations). In some cases, the waste is stored in large lagoons or open piles that can leak or spill into adjacent land and water.” (Stueuer). The article “Factory Farming” says that “Factory farms emit large quantities of greenhouse gases while consuming a great deal of fossil fuels and creating major air and water contamination hazards.” (“Factory Farming”). Also stated in Hauter’s article factory farms are a danger to the climate. Livestock production contributes 14.5 percent of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. (Hauter)

Allowing farmers to save time on managing their livestock creates problems with food safety and risks to human health. Livestock in factory farms stand in their feces all day, due to the farmer’s lack of maintenance, causing disease and illness. The article “Factory Farming” states that the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) estimates that up to 20% of antibiotic-resistant infections in the US are traced to germs found on farm animals (“Factory Farming”) The article “Factory Farming” also states that people who consume foods contaminated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria can develop serious and even fatal illnesses.

Animals have become resistant to some drugs, creating serious health risks for humans who are exposed to them. (“Factory Farming”) The uncleanliness of factory farming causes bacteria to be in the food we consume. The article “Factory Farming” states that “Eggs harvested from hens kept in battery cages show much higher rates of salmonella bacterial contamination. It also says that “other dangerous pathogens like E. colli can also thrive in overcrowded factory farming conditions.” (“Factory Farming”). Not only does factory farming cause danger for the animals involved, but it can also be dangerous for the employees who work at factory farms. Employees of factory farms breathe in dust, dirt, and feces from the livestock, which can cause lung infections.

Although, factory farming allows livestock farmers to use their farms more efficiently by taking up less space, using less maintenance, and it takes less time to manage the livestock. It causes animal suffrage, environmental pollution, and a risk to human and animal health. While factory farming allows farmers to manage their livestock more easily and enables them to keep up with the high demand for meat and other livestock by-products, it causes tons of problems for society.

Works Cited

1. Arnold, Stephen D., and Edward A. Meister. ‘Dairy Feedlot Contributions to Groundwater Contamination – A Preliminary Study in New Mexico.’ ​Journal of Environmental Health, vol. 62, no. 2, 1999, p. 16. ​Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A55884900/OVIC?u=tricotec_main&sid=OVIC&xid=af135478. Accessed 22 Oct. 2019.
2. ‘Factory Farming.’ ​Gale Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Gale, 2018. ​Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/PC3010999252/OVIC?u=tricotec_main&sid=OVIC&xid=448c281c. Accessed 22 Oct. 2019.
3. ‘Factory Farms Produce Meat in Unethical Ways.’ ​Factory Farming, edited by Debra A. Miller, Greenhaven Press, 2013. Current Controversies. ​Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010701243/OVIC?u=tricotec_main&sid=OVIC&xid=d48cc97e. Accessed 20 Oct. 2019. Originally published as ‘Factory Farming:
4. The Truth Behind the Barn Doors,’ ​www.lcanimal.org, 2012. Hauter, Wenonah. ‘Factory Farming Is an Environmental Hazard.’ ​Gale Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Gale, 2019. ​Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/GZBVFM521888465/OVIC?u=tricotec_main&sid=OVIC&xid=d483b632. Accessed 22 Oct. 2019. Originally published as ‘What Fossil
5. Fuels and Factory Farms Have in Common,’ ​Yes! Magazine, 30 May 2018. Sinilong, Iris. ‘Most People Are Unaware of How Much Suffering Factory Farming Causes Animals.’ ​Factory Farming, edited by Debra A. Miller, Greepps/doc/EJ3010701244/OVIC?u=tricotec_main&sid=OVIC&xid=f03c275e. Accessed 20 Oct. 2019. Originally published as ‘Behind the Veil of Factory
6. Farming: What the Media Doesn’t Tell Us,’ ​Urban Times, 13 July 2012.nhaven Press, 2013. Current Controversies. ​Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints,https://link.gale.com/a
7. ‘Number of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) in the United States, 2017.’ ​Gale Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Gale, 2018. ​Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, ttps://link.gale.com/apps/doc/KGWHXU828175625/OVIC?u=tricotec_main&sid=OVIC&xid=ad31352f. Accessed 21 Oct. 2019.
8. Steuer, Karen. ‘Factory Farms Are Contaminating US Drinking Water.’ ​Factory Farming, edited by Debra A. Miller, Greenhaven Press, 2013. Current Controversies. ​Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010701246/OVIC?u=tricotec_main&sid=OVIC&xid=272c629c. Accessed 22 Oct. 2019. Originally published as ‘Where Have All the Farms Gone?’ ​EcoWatch, 10 June 2012.

Ever since the 1960s, in an attempt by scientists to maximize efficiency and production of animal products, factory farms emerged and continued on to be the main source of animal products in the world. Factory farming is defined as a large-scale, industrialized, profit-oriented agricultural operation that produces meat, dairy, and egg. Throughout history, there have been many debates over outlawing factory farms concerning the negative effects it has on the environment. Some argue that there are many great benefits that come with animal farming since it is the number one driver of agricultural innovation. However, the reality is that the negative effects of animal agriculture are choking the Earth and the longer we try to ignore this fact, the more “… we limit our ability to nourish ourselves, protect waterways and habitats, and pursue other uses of our precious natural resources. ” (Cameron & Cameron). Animal agriculture contributes to the degradation of the environment in a variety of different ways such as, the top contributors are greenhouse gas emissions, pollution of the environment, and soil erosion. However, there are alternate ways for us to take in nutrients such as eating plant-based protein and clean meat.

Global warming was first presented as a national issue to the general public around 30 years ago, yet clear progress still has not been seen (“30 years”). The number one cause of global warming is the increased amounts of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. Greenhouse gases negatively impact the environment because these gases absorb the heat radiated by the Earth, trapping the heat on the Earth’s surface, resulting in climate change.

Scientists have discovered that greenhouse gas levels have increased dramatically since the 1960s. One major factor contributing to the high greenhouse gas levels is the reluctance of corporations to reduce our food production, more specifically, our reliance on animal products. The greenhouse gas emitted from the flatulence of animals as well as the greenhouse gases emitted from the manure is one great factor in how animal farming has such a profound impact on the environment. Flatulence of cows and other livestock accounts for 150 billion gallons of methane per day, which is equivalent to 39 % of all greenhouse gas emissions caused by livestock. Additionally, manure storage and processing contribute to 10% of greenhouse gas emissions from livestock production). The large amounts of methane production can be associated with the large amounts of farm animals on the planet. According to Kip Andersen, the Executive Director of A.U.M. Films and Media, “… there are 7 billion people on earth, and we raise 70 billion farm animals.” The large amounts of methane released into the atmosphere are a major problem because methane is proven to be a far more active greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide (Shaftel and Callery). Additionally, Kirk R. Smith, a professor of global environmental health at the University of California Berkeley stated that society should do something about the large methane productions because we will get a response right away.

In addition to the large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, animal farming is also the main contributor to pollution. Animal agriculture contributes to water pollution in many different ways, all of which can be traced back to the large amounts of animal waste. Despite the establishment of the Clean Water Act or the Federal Water Pollution Act in 1972, research shows that industrialized animal farms are the leading source of groundwater contamination in the United States, with more than 40 states reporting high levels of nitrates and pesticides from agricultural farms (Hauter). Livestock produces 130 times more waste than the entire human population (Cowspiracy). Additionally, they aren’t treated like human wastes in sewage plants. These wastes usually end up on land or in water (Wuerthner). According to a report from the Department of Agriculture and U.S. EPA in 1998, CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operation) in America has polluted roughly 35,000 miles of rivers in 22 states and groundwater in as much as 17 states (Little). Many cases of soil erosion in the United States could also be connected back to animals farms. According to an article written by George Wuerthner, a writer, ecologist, photographer, and author of more than thirty published books, “Agricultural production is the largest source for soil erosion in the United States with current rates exceeding soil production rates by 17 times, with 90% of US croplands losing soils above sustainable rates”.

The degradation in soil health in recent years is not an issue that can be overlooked. It has numerous impacts on our environment such as soil degradation, soil salinity, nutrient degradation, and loss of soil structure. These are real and severe issues with numerous repercussions. Soil erosion can be contributed to three main reasons: deforestation, overgrazing, and the use of agrochemicals. Animal farming is responsible for the loss of 136 million acres of rainforests all over the globe. An acre of rainforest is cleared every second, and the leading cause is to graze animals and grow their feed crops. Although the overgrazing of land does not damage the land as much as other factors such as deforestation and pollution initially, topsoil could dry out as a result of the loss of surface vegetation. This results in the decrease of diversity and quantity of microorganisms that help keep the soil fertile and may contribute to the loss of nutrients in the soil. Soil could also be blown away or washed away by rainwater. The use of agricultural chemicals is also detrimental to soil composition because it disrupts the balance of microorganisms in the soil and stimulates the growth of harmful bacteria. The many impacts of soil erosion include desertification, increased flooding, and loss of arable land.

Although the meat production companies disagree, there are many alternative sources of protein for humans other than animal products. There are many vegan sources of protein that are rich in nutrients and have significantly fewer negative impacts on the environment, such as lentils, quinoa, chia seeds, and soybeans. For every day that you are vegan, you save 1100 gallons of water, 30 sq. feet of forest land, and 10 pounds of CO2. According to Dr. Will Tuttle, an environmental and ethical author, numerous problems such as the pollution of rivers, deforestation, and air pollution could all be traced back to animal farming and we could solve all of these problems by not breeding these animals for consumption. With the help of technological innovations, scientists have developed an alternate way of decreasing our demand for animal products. This method is to switch to eating clean meat, also known as lab-grown, in vitro, or cultured meat. This meat is grown in cell cultures instead of animal bodies, which increases the efficiency of meat production. Additionally, there will be no animal waste produced. According to Dr.Richard Oppenlander, an environmental researcher, and author, although there are other ways of combating climate change such as building renewable energy infrastructure, it is estimated to take at least 20 years to build and at least 18 trillion dollars. On the contrary, by stopping the consumption of animals, the results could be seen immediately and there will be no cost needed. Clearly, we should take the matter into our hands and change our way of living for the benefit of the environment.