On factory farms, animals are subjected to routine mutilations, extreme confinement , and are otherwise manipulated to benefit human consumers. These practices are generally harmful to the animals.
Why is factory farming unhealthy?
How Factory Farms Affect Human Health. Factory farms and the contamination that they produce cause illnesses in humans that range from brain damage and depression to miscarriage and birth defects. They are also responsible for antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections and severe respiratory problems.
How bad is factory farming?
As a result, factory farms are associated with various environmental hazards , such as water, land and air pollution. The pollution from animal waste causes respiratory problems, skin infections, nausea, depression, and even death for people who live near factory farms.
Is factory farming bad for the environment?
Factory farming is a major contributor to water and air pollution as well as deforestation . Factory-farmed animals produce more than 1 million tons of manure every day. ... This can contaminate local water supplies, reach neighboring populations physically and in a sensorial capacity, and emit harmful gasses.
What are the concerns of factory farming?
As a result, factory farms are associated with various environmental hazards, such as water, land and air pollution . The pollution from animal waste causes respiratory problems, skin infections, nausea, depression, and even death for people who live near factory farms.
How are animals treated in factory farms?
Animals on factory farms endure constant fear and torment: They’re often given so little space that they can’t even turn around or lie down comfortably. Egg-laying hens are kept in small cages, chickens and pigs are kept in jam-packed sheds , and cows are kept on crowded, filthy feedlots.
How does animal agriculture affect humans?
With this transition comes intensification of animal agriculture that in turn is associated with the emergence of zoonotic infectious diseases, environmental degradation , and the epidemics of chronic disease and obesity.
How does farming affect the earth?
Agriculture is the leading source of pollution in many countries. Pesticides, fertilizers and other toxic farm chemicals can poison fresh water, marine ecosystems, air and soil. They also can remain in the environment for generations. ... Fertilizer run-off impacts waterways and coral reefs.
How does farming cause global warming?
The main contributor to global warming is carbon dioxide . ... Together, these gases plus CO2 make up about 99 percent of all GHG in the atmosphere. While the majority of global warming activities give off carbon dioxide, the agricultural sector primarily emits CH4 and N2O.
What are the pros and cons of factory farming?
| Factory Farming Pros Factory Farming Cons | Important for many local economies High water consumption | Assures large variety of meat Low-quality meat | Geographic flexibility Groundwater pollution | Meat production all year long Global warming |
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What companies use factory farming?
According to a new report released by Environment America, five major animal agribusinesses — Tyson, JBS, Cargill, Smithfield, and Perdue — produce a combined 162,936,695 tons of manure every year.
Do we need factory farming?
The answer is simple: scientists, economists, and farmers agree that factory farming is still the only way to keep up . The fact of the matter is that, while the demand for commercially produced, affordable meat may be decreasing, it is still high, primarily because there are more people on the planet than ever before.
How many animals are killed in factory farms each year?
More than 400,000 animals died in fires on factory farms in the United States last year. Approximately 80,000 horses are trucked from the United States to Mexico or Canada to be slaughtered for human consumption each year.
How are animals killed in factory farms?
In industrial slaughterhouses, chickens are killed prior to scalding by being passed through an electrified water-bath while shackled. This method can be used for sheep, calves and swine. The animal is asphyxiated by the use of CO 2 gas before being killed. In several countries, CO 2 stunning is mainly used on pigs.
Is it cruel to farm animals?
Pigs, cows, chickens, fish, and other animals raised at factory farms experience unimaginable cruelty . ... Cows exploited for dairy are treated like mere milk-producing machines—constantly cycling through pregnancy, birth, and milking until their bodies give out or their milk production is no longer profitable.
How many animals are killed each year for food?
Worldwide, more than 70 billion land animals are killed for food every year. Our series of charts based on United Nations data shows the trends by type of animal.
