Introduction
For the past two decades animal farming has developed into an industrial operation of raising animals for human consumption (Food & Water Watch, 2015). Industrialized farming methods are used to produce large quantities of meat for society, at a faster rate to market than traditional farming methods. Additionally, economies of scale, along with efficient meat production methods, make this type of farming a profitable business. However, consumers do not always know where their meat comes from or how their food is being produced.
Industrial factory farming is more commonly referred to as factory farming in the United States. Factory farming is an industrial operation that consists of raising animals in confined spaces for food …show more content…
Today, there are four multi-billion dollar companies that monopolize the industry. These four companies, Tyson, Smithfield Foods, JBS, and Cargill, control about 85 percent of the American beef industry (Napach, 2014). This dominance in the industry affects the pricing, production, laws, and the quality of the meat. Furthermore, it also affects the humane treatment of animals, the consumer’s choices, their health, and the environment.
Issues/Problem Identification
Environmental Issues
A purpose for housing animals in confined spaces in factory farming practices is so that less land is needed to handle and maintain animals. However, the mass production of animals for meat puts severe strain on natural resources such as land, water, and air, due to the amount of animal excrement that is produced by the large number of animals.
Waste issues
The EPA reports that “U.S. factory farms produce more than 500 million tons of manure every year…,” which is three times more than raw waste produced by Americans (The Humane Society of the United States, 2015). The concern is how the farms manage the large quantities of waste that is produced by the animals in such concentrated areas. If waste is not properly contained and utilized, it can put entire communities at …show more content…
These groups were asking the EPA to set limits on ammonia output at certain facilities and to regulate air pollution at CAFOs. According to an attorney of EIP, the EPA has acknowledged the impacts of the air pollution caused by factory farming, but has failed to act on the problem for over a decade (The Humane Society of the United States, 2015). Some facts in the lawsuit relating to confining animals on the 20,000 factory farms
For the past two decades animal farming has developed into an industrial operation of raising animals for human consumption (Food & Water Watch, 2015). Industrialized farming methods are used to produce large quantities of meat for society, at a faster rate to market than traditional farming methods. Additionally, economies of scale, along with efficient meat production methods, make this type of farming a profitable business. However, consumers do not always know where their meat comes from or how their food is being produced.
Industrial factory farming is more commonly referred to as factory farming in the United States. Factory farming is an industrial operation that consists of raising animals in confined spaces for food …show more content…
Today, there are four multi-billion dollar companies that monopolize the industry. These four companies, Tyson, Smithfield Foods, JBS, and Cargill, control about 85 percent of the American beef industry (Napach, 2014). This dominance in the industry affects the pricing, production, laws, and the quality of the meat. Furthermore, it also affects the humane treatment of animals, the consumer’s choices, their health, and the environment.
Issues/Problem Identification
Environmental Issues
A purpose for housing animals in confined spaces in factory farming practices is so that less land is needed to handle and maintain animals. However, the mass production of animals for meat puts severe strain on natural resources such as land, water, and air, due to the amount of animal excrement that is produced by the large number of animals.
Waste issues
The EPA reports that “U.S. factory farms produce more than 500 million tons of manure every year…,” which is three times more than raw waste produced by Americans (The Humane Society of the United States, 2015). The concern is how the farms manage the large quantities of waste that is produced by the animals in such concentrated areas. If waste is not properly contained and utilized, it can put entire communities at …show more content…
These groups were asking the EPA to set limits on ammonia output at certain facilities and to regulate air pollution at CAFOs. According to an attorney of EIP, the EPA has acknowledged the impacts of the air pollution caused by factory farming, but has failed to act on the problem for over a decade (The Humane Society of the United States, 2015). Some facts in the lawsuit relating to confining animals on the 20,000 factory farms