The current food production system is designed to produce food at an affordable price by producing food in masses on a small amount of land, however, hunger is caused by poverty and inequality, not scarcity. (Huffington post) This system was developed with the purpose of lowering cost, while at the same time increasing profits by a significant amount. This may be a strategy for those companies merely looking to increase business profits, however, the wellbeing of customers, environment and animals should have a more imperative impact on production decisions. There are a series of risks within this system; why are they so quick to take these risks? From the business standpoint, the ability to produce a huge volume of food on a limited amount
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The risks that are taken in order to produce a lot of food on a small amount of land are extensive. By far, the vast majority of effects are those aspects of the system that impact the environment. For example, factory farming for meat production has led to a significant amount of air and water pollution risking contamination of drinking water, as well as, the quality of air in surrounding areas. Air pollution mainly stems from carbon dioxide emissions that are a result of factory farming; one of the leading causes of climate change. However, air pollution is also an outcome of the widespread use of pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals. (LandRoots) The costs of factory farming, with the purpose of producing more at a lower cost, continue to present limited benefits to the environment and consumers.
Crop farming and factory farming obstruct the habitats and health of wildlife surrounding the sites. An increasing amount of land today is being utilized to farm, disrupting the natural habitats of wildlife species. Wildlife has to adapt to survive on limited sources for habitat; some are even being threatened to extinction. The common use of pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals often threaten the health of wildlife, as well. (LandRoots) Even though there may be less land taken advantage per farm, there are always more farms being developed, taking …show more content…
Within the system food production companies have manipulated natural habits animals and crops, including the alteration of the natural growth rate of various crops and farm animals. Animal farms can now grow a chicken in 49 days, a cow in three years or a pig in two years by developing genetically modified organisms. The same goes for crops such as corn and grain, that is used to feed animals on animal farms. Keep in mind that the natural diet of these animals is not corn or grain. Cattle fed grain have been tested to carry a dangerous strain of e. coli. (Global AgInvesting) A simple change in diet not only effects the health of the animals, but the health of the consumers as well. With the intent to raise as many animals more efficiently they are ruining the health of the animals as well as the health of the consumers, even more so after processing the meats. If not the consumer, the welfare of animals should be considered before making decisions regarding the meat production
The risks that are taken in order to produce a lot of food on a small amount of land are extensive. By far, the vast majority of effects are those aspects of the system that impact the environment. For example, factory farming for meat production has led to a significant amount of air and water pollution risking contamination of drinking water, as well as, the quality of air in surrounding areas. Air pollution mainly stems from carbon dioxide emissions that are a result of factory farming; one of the leading causes of climate change. However, air pollution is also an outcome of the widespread use of pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals. (LandRoots) The costs of factory farming, with the purpose of producing more at a lower cost, continue to present limited benefits to the environment and consumers.
Crop farming and factory farming obstruct the habitats and health of wildlife surrounding the sites. An increasing amount of land today is being utilized to farm, disrupting the natural habitats of wildlife species. Wildlife has to adapt to survive on limited sources for habitat; some are even being threatened to extinction. The common use of pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals often threaten the health of wildlife, as well. (LandRoots) Even though there may be less land taken advantage per farm, there are always more farms being developed, taking …show more content…
Within the system food production companies have manipulated natural habits animals and crops, including the alteration of the natural growth rate of various crops and farm animals. Animal farms can now grow a chicken in 49 days, a cow in three years or a pig in two years by developing genetically modified organisms. The same goes for crops such as corn and grain, that is used to feed animals on animal farms. Keep in mind that the natural diet of these animals is not corn or grain. Cattle fed grain have been tested to carry a dangerous strain of e. coli. (Global AgInvesting) A simple change in diet not only effects the health of the animals, but the health of the consumers as well. With the intent to raise as many animals more efficiently they are ruining the health of the animals as well as the health of the consumers, even more so after processing the meats. If not the consumer, the welfare of animals should be considered before making decisions regarding the meat production