Factory Farming
Can a system that processes billions of food animals be healthy and humane?
IN THE 1920s, the advent of feed enriched with Vitamins A & D was a revelation to farmers. Animals could now be raised indoors, year-round, without exercise or sunlight. Later advancements in antibiotics and hormones meant more livestock could be packed into less space—and more milk, eggs, and meat could be produced in a shorter period of time. Today, 2% of American farms raise 40% of our food animals.
It’s a system rife with health risks. Swine flu originated on a factory farm. Mad Cow disease came from the practice of feeding animal parts to cows. And each year 650,000 people get sick from Salmonella-tainted eggs. Antibiotics in animal feed have resulted in drug-resistant bacteria, leading to calls for a ban on the practice and the question: do you really know what’s for dinner?
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Use the Eat Well Guide to Find Local Food
Locate farms, markets and restaurants that support local, sustainable organic food.
From the Blog
Factory Farming and Industrial Agriculture
"Factory farming and industrial agriculture are unsustainable systems that produce large volumes of food but have little to no regard for the environment, animal welfare, soil and water…"
BY THE NUMBERS
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650,000 people get sick from Salmonella-tainted eggs each year http://bit.ly/tp0061 |
10,000 sheep are the minimum requirement for a lot to be considered a 'Large CAFO' http://bit.ly/tp0061 |
