A Solution for Factory Farms

Meat is an essential aspect of most American’s diet and a lot of people enjoy consuming meat. It is conveniently available at grocery stores and fast food restaurants and can be accessed within a short amount of time. Most Americans eat meat on a daily basis, but they do not realize that the majority of meat is produced in factory farms. Factory farming consists of housing “more than 125,000 animals under one roof and are designed to produce the highest possible output at the lowest possible cost to the operator” (Farm Forward). Animals, (chicken, turkeys, cows, and fish) are confined in cramped living conditions with little to no room to move. Allowing livestock to live in deplorable conditions is animal abuse. Factory farms negatively affect the environment and the health of humans and animals. The issue of factory farms must be resolved, the bad outweighs the good in this situation and if we do not solve this problem the consequences could be very dire.

One of the many problems with factory farms is that it negatively effects surrounding populations, as illustrated in North Carolina, where concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), also known as factory farms, are in close proximity with cities. These factory farms use the waste from pigs and spray them on crops. The waste from these animals “can contain pathogens, heavy metals, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.” The chemicals from the waste of these animals then affects the surrounding population and “a growing body of research suggests these emissions may contribute not only to mucosal irritation and respiratory ailments in nearby residents but also decreased quality of life, mental stress and elevated blood pressure.” In addition to this, the smell from the waste is at...

... middle of paper ...

... farms. As for the argument that pasture-raised livestock take up too much time, this is actually incorrect because livestock are mainly self-sufficient in pastures. The livestock feed themselves mainly on grass and may require fewer workers than factory farms. The benefits of organic farming will outweigh the negatives caused by factory farms in the end.

Factory farming is widespread throughout the United States and accounts for a vast amount of meat production. While industrialized farming is convenient the problems it creates outweighs the efficiency of confined animal feeding operations. Industrialized farming is a danger to the environment and human and livestock health. Americans must be educated on the harmful effects factory farms create and be introduced to organic farming as a viable solution. If this problem is pushed aside, serious problems will occur.