Why It’s Time to Put An End to Factory Farming

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Factory farming is one of the most inhumane causes of animal suffering ever perpetrated by the human race. Yet many of us continue to turn a blind eye to the plight of the animals we eat. Here’s why it’s time to wake up and put an end to this barbaric practice.

Isn’t it odd that we have whole groups of people and even shelters dedicated to saving pet animals like dogs and cats, yet we continue to eat animals that were treated worse than we can even probably imagine during their short and unhealthy lives? Even when faced with a tiny glimpse of the reality of factory farming, a shocking number of people say that they “would rather not know.” Not knowing doesn’t mean it’s not happening!

It is happening, throughout the U.S. and beyond, on a grand scale. Here’s why it’s time to start paying attention, and stop the barbaric practice of factory farming:

From around the post-war period onwards, a new phenomenon developed in the relationship between humankind and animals: The arrival of industrial capitalism in the agricultural world and the distortion of methods of cultivation, food processing and raising livestock. Living beings of use to humans have returned to being considered things, and there has been no limit to their exploitation. Everyone tends to ignore the fact that this tragedy is taking place just a few steps from our homes. An enormous contradiction has ensconced itself in our contemporary world: Millions of pets are pampered inside our houses, while just around the corner but out of sight, millions of pigs, chickens, cows and lambs are forced into lives of incredible suffering.

If we don’t demand the closing of these concentration-camp farms, if we do not connect the meat on our plate with the terrible fates to which we condemn innumerable animals, how can we call ourselves animal-lovers? Closing factory farms must be the first, inescapable demand if we want to talk about animal welfare. And in front of the inevitable laments of those who will rant against this assault against the economy, food security and free enterprise, we must reply that, apart from the obvious obscenity of intensive animal farming, a farm of 400 dairy or beef cattle is madness from all perspectives, employing barely a dozen workers and consuming immense quantities of land, water, energy and medicines.

Wouldn’t it be much better to instead divide this enormous herd between 10 or 15 small farms, maybe in marginal areas, teaching small-scale farmers good cultural and environmental practices? Certainly, it would be a less efficient type of production, but it would be better from every other point of view.

The question is, do we want to pursue the lowest cost with efficiency or the fairest cost with small and medium multifunctional farms that consume and waste less? Every argument about animal welfare must start from this precondition: close the concentration camps and mega factory farms….

To read the full article and learn more, visit SlowFood.com…

 

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