A for Animals

What is factory farming?
Many of us still imagine farming as consisting of small farms where the farmer personally tends to the animals, and where animal welfare and the environment are considered. However, this is no longer the reality.
Instead, the concept of factory farming has become the dominant form of agriculture in many parts of the world. Factory farming is an intensive and often automated method of raising animals for human food, focusing on efficiency regarding feed, space, growth, and slaughter timing. This article examines the consequences associated with factory farming, including its harmful effects on animal welfare, the environment, public health, and social justice.
Factory farming is also known as “Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations” (CAFOs). In this type of farming, animals of the same species are confined in overcrowded environments with limited access to sunlight and fresh air. The mechanization of vital processes, such as birth, feeding, watering, and insemination, prioritizes productivity and profit over animal welfare, disregarding the animals’ physical, social, and psychological needs.