Factory farming
From EcoWiki
This page needs your help. Feel free to jump in, add content, edit or categorise it. See stub
Factory farming is the labelled used to describe farms that treat animals and plants as commodities to be grown for profit. In animal agriculture the result has had a negative impact on the health and welfare of the animals involved and of the humans who consume them. Intensive animal agriculture has also had a negative effect on the locality of the "farm".
Contents |
Understanding factory farming
Intensive farming of animals began in the 1920s after the discovery of vitamins A and D. When these two vitamins are added to animal feed, exercise and sunlight are no longer necessary for growth. Animals kept indoors, in the dark year round, grow faster, can be kept in a smaller area but are more prone to disease. The problem of disease prevention was alleviated with the discovery of antibiotics in the 1940s. "Modern" factory farms are mechanised factories using production line techniques to produce meat for the lowest possible price.
The causes
Evidence
Mad Cow Disease (BSE)
Cost-benefit analysis
What are the solutions
Organisations that work on factory farming
See also
Books
- Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal 'by Eric Schlosser'
Published in - Jan 2002
