Across the world, animals such as cows, hogs, and chickens are raised, killed and consumed without a second thought. In society it has become normal to eat various types of meat every day, and the majority believe that they are knowledgeable of where this food comes from and how it gets to us. As consumers, we also accept the notion that the killing and eating of animals is justifiable in our society. But have we ever stopped to consider what is truly going on behind the scenes to find out how the meat industry operates? As Last Chance for Animals (LCA) States, 97 percent of the ten billion animals tortured and killed each year are farm animals (Carmody), and this abuse occurs in factories across the world. In addition to this atrocity, many
…show more content…
As a southern rancher states, “the business is bottle-shaped — large at the bottom and narrowing to the neck, where just four companies control the majority of the market” (Lowe). These companies have no regard for the animals they exploit, and clearly lack concern for anything besides efficiency and profit. Because factory farming is a business, its goal is to expand production and continually earn money. As a result, the animals in the meat industry are not seen as living, breathing beings, but as mere objects that can be used to the industry’s advantage (Carmody). In an effort to cut prices, these factories keep the animals enclosed in extremely cramped cages. Corn is fed to all the animals, despite the cows’ natural need for fresh grass, and they are hardly allowed the chance to breathe the outside air until the day they are loaded onto trucks destined for the slaughterhouse …show more content…
In the early 2000’s, the conditions in meat packing factories for the workers became so horrible that even the companies’ own workers began to abandon the industry and find jobs elsewhere. Workers only have one job to do in an assembly line, so they are easily replaced and don’t have to be trained. This makes it impossible for them to organize or go on strike against the company they work for (Piette). However,this conveyor-belt style work not only increases the production of meat, it can cause workers to incur life-changing injuries. As Gerlock states, “Workers are required to complete a certain number of motions per minute, and this can lead to severe muscle damage by continuously performing the same movements” (Gerlock). For the top competitors in the meat industry, the goal has always been to find a way to grow as large as possible and sell products as cheaply as possible. These companies will “go to extreme lengths in order to cut corners and slash prices, all in order to scare off or take over smaller competitors in the industry” (Philpott).
As a southern rancher states, “the business is bottle-shaped — large at the bottom and narrowing to the neck, where just four companies control the majority of the market” (Lowe). These companies have no regard for the animals they exploit, and clearly lack concern for anything besides efficiency and profit. Because factory farming is a business, its goal is to expand production and continually earn money. As a result, the animals in the meat industry are not seen as living, breathing beings, but as mere objects that can be used to the industry’s advantage (Carmody). In an effort to cut prices, these factories keep the animals enclosed in extremely cramped cages. Corn is fed to all the animals, despite the cows’ natural need for fresh grass, and they are hardly allowed the chance to breathe the outside air until the day they are loaded onto trucks destined for the slaughterhouse …show more content…
In the early 2000’s, the conditions in meat packing factories for the workers became so horrible that even the companies’ own workers began to abandon the industry and find jobs elsewhere. Workers only have one job to do in an assembly line, so they are easily replaced and don’t have to be trained. This makes it impossible for them to organize or go on strike against the company they work for (Piette). However,this conveyor-belt style work not only increases the production of meat, it can cause workers to incur life-changing injuries. As Gerlock states, “Workers are required to complete a certain number of motions per minute, and this can lead to severe muscle damage by continuously performing the same movements” (Gerlock). For the top competitors in the meat industry, the goal has always been to find a way to grow as large as possible and sell products as cheaply as possible. These companies will “go to extreme lengths in order to cut corners and slash prices, all in order to scare off or take over smaller competitors in the industry” (Philpott).