Abstract
It is agreeable that the objective of factory farming in producing as much food as possible as well as cheaply as possible. The growing population indeed depletes the available food resources and, therefore, efforts in providing alternative food production methods are necessary. These projects are aimed at saving the starving population as well as saving the economy at large. Projects through statistical analysis have proven to be successful. Large tokens of meat and eggs have been produced in single setups serving huge populations. The manners in which these factories are run have significant consequences which counteract its low prices. In the process, as large groups of animals are confined in these factories, the health and conditions of these animals are undermined. Studies of various farm factories in America have revealed a number of conditions that not only undermine the survival of these animals, but also violate the rules that govern animal protection. In fact, to visualize the impacts of this practice would necessitate a comprehensive analysis of the projects with respect to not only the animal protection protocols, but also the environmental concerns.
These projects jeopardize the significance of such organizations concerned with the protection of animals. These organizations outline conditions and protocols that govern the process of animal husbandry. A study of the farm factories reveals the conditions these animals are exposed to. First, pigs in the study case are fed with cheap animal feed products to maintain minimal production costs. Additionally, the chances of animal infections are increased by the congestion the animals are exposed to. To be precise, these animals are kept in confined houses with small floor space with respect to the number of animals kept per compartment. Studies of poultry departments in these factories reveal dangerous congestions which expose the birds to diseases like swine flu. On the other hand, the congestive nature of cow pens in these factories makes it possible for the infection of diseases. Moreover, the factories concentrate on growth and fattening the animals without caring about their conditions. This is naturally an immoral act to the animals.
The treatments the animals are given in the factories expose them to excessive pain. For instance, as the animals are guided out or into their pens, they are beaten ruthlessly. Furthermore, the scientific explanation of animal husbandry dictates that animals need conducive conditions to enhance their growth. Contrary to this fact, the farm factories do not take into account the conditions of growth required by the animals. Individuals running projects entertain these practices with the advantage that animals do not complain as humans do. As a matter of fact, the belief that animals do not experience pain is the principle behind the justification of their actions. A study of factory farms in America has revealed that there are common actions and processes done in all these factories. This means that the predicament of animals in these factories is widespread.
These factories jeopardize other benefits humans get out of the services of these animals. Animals kept in farm factories are solely kept for the purpose of food. These factories have no value for animal life and only view them as sources of food. To explain this fact, bulls are used all over the world for cultivating. This means that such animals can be useful in the production of food through cultivation. Such capabilities of these animals are undermined when they are confined in these centers awaiting slaughter. As a matter of fact, this is not in any sense the utilization of natural resources. The significance of natural resources in human lives cannot be undermined. It is reported that some factories use chemicals which enhance the physical growth of the animals with the objective of making more money through the sale of meat. The effects of these chemicals on the lives and animal health are not established before administration. This not only puts the life of the animal at great risk, but also puts the life of the customer who ultimately buys and consumes such meat.
The adverse nature of conditions these animals face in these factories cannot be exhausted. This is because the situational positions of these farms expose them to divergent conditions of treatment. Moreover, the production of food in this manner is morally and ethically wrong. The morals of humans are undermined by these projects. This is because human beings are expected to nurture animals and other forms of nature morally in order to maximally benefit from them. The relationship between humans and their natural environment has been described by scientists as of mutual benefit.
Both animals and humans benefit from each other in diversified spheres of life depending on the nature of their needs. For example, however much animal waste pollutes the environment; humans utilize it through adding fertility to the soil which benefits animals in grazing. This setup is shuffled by such programs which only concentrate on the selfish interests of making profits. Generally, this relationship of mutual benefit is undermined by these programs. It sounds unfair to nature. This practice has not only aroused criticism from animal care organizations, but also the interests of scientists. Biological studies are responsible for the evaluation of conditions of survival of different types of animals. These studies are significantly undermined when such projects do not take into account such provisions of animal care.
Moreover, these factories have adverse effects to the immediate environment where they are situated. A study of these farm factories has unveiled extensive depletion of natural resources especially on the dumpsites. Farm waste are normally excellent resources for the enhancing of fertility in soils, it adds sufficient nutrients and makes the soil rich. However, excessive application of these wastes into the soil adversely affects the soil. These wastes have chemicals like ammonia in large quantities which affects the soil by undermining leaching properties. As a matter of fact, these factories dump their waste in distributed fields in America. This act spreads the filth in these materials to the air. Small light fragments of these wastes are blown by wind and pollute the air. When such polluted air is breathed by other animals (humans included), it causes breathing problems. Additionally, these wastes could spill into water bodies like rivers and lakes hence polluting them.
There has been reported pollution of water from chemicals derived from animal waste. These are cases that have adverse effects to the environment. An analysis of the various types of animals kept at large scale setups show that the environment is put at a significant risk in the disposal of their waste. For instance, poultry and livestock waste are collected in large amounts from these factories. However, most of the factories have not established good waste management programs. Therefore, they end up disposing these wastes in fields accessed by humans. In relation to this, these wastes expose human beings to dangerous animal diseases. For example, these dumping sites are breeding sites for tsetse flies which cause sleeping sickness not only to animals, but also to human beings. These facts actually bring out the dangers these programs expose the world to. Its effects on the environment cannot be exhaustively established owing to the nature of wastes collected from these factories. To be exact, the nature of pollution these factories expose the environment to depend on the type of animals kept.
On the other hand, these projects have extended effects on the economic viability of other domestic agricultural business systems. Small scale farming and sale of agricultural produce in small scale basis is one of the most common sources of livelihood for most average families all over the world. The nature and volume of agricultural produce availed in the market by these factories actually undermine the financial worth or markets of these domestic programs. Domestic farmers lack markets for their produce because the available demand is suppressed or conquered by large scale agricultural producers. In this context, the outcomes of families which rely on the sale of their farm products at small scale level are significantly reduced. Moreover, it is common business principle that value of a product depreciates with increased supply. This is because the supply curve is lowered for each business as the available demand of the product is shared among the available producers. This makes competition in markets practically impossible. This has led to reduction of domestic agricultural practices and many people have opted to settle for other economical alternatives.
However, there are various arguments that not only justify the viability and significance of these projects. The economic efficiency of these projects is generally high. It is estimated that America derives its economic prowess through sales of agricultural produce which is largely supported by such products. Additionally, these factories provide numerous employment opportunities to citizens. As these projects are significantly situated in local areas strategically for the benefit of the process in terms of raw materials and environmental conditions, it provides employment to many members of local communities. These are the advantages of such projects and the role they play in maintaining a well fed population all over the globe. However, their ethical viability is of great concern. It is important to evaluate the evens and odds of a program before it is implemented. This calls for the scrutiny of these programs with respect to the environment and nature.
There are numerous deductions that can be made after a comprehensive analysis of farm factories is conducted. Debates on its overall significance and the issues of environmental pollution have been the focus of all informative media. However, there are various recommendations and adjustments that can be put up to ensure that the world is well fed and the environment is conserved. First, governments of the nations in which these factories exist should put more emphasis on the strict observation of animal husbandry rules as spelt out by the relevant organizations. This move will ensure that the conditions of the factories are changed to suit the survival of the animals. More space in the animal compartments can be enhanced to solve the problem of congestion. Moreover, this will reduce the chances of infections among the animals. Furthermore, the people working with these animals can be advised to be more gentle and careful as they handle the animals. These will display a significant environment for the growth of these animals.
Further, these factories can form committees to overlook on the environmental effects of their operations. The establishment of a good waste management system is essential in the control of waste. It is impossible to recycle these wastes. Therefore, factories can engage in putting their products into better use other than disposing them. Farm waste is very influential in the enhancement of poor soils in form of manure. These factories can partner up with manure production firms to supply them with raw materials. This would call for a firm localization process which would provide more employment to the people and boost the economy. There are various valuable animal products and services that are overlooked by these programs. The example mentioned above can be very influential for firms keeping cattle. Skins and bones could also be utilized instead of being thrown away as waste. This applies to other animals kept in such environments too.
In conclusion, the evaluation of this topic arouses conflicting perspectives. Therefore, the best approach for such firms would be to endorse recommendations from various studies. The growing population actually needs a lot of food. Hence, alternatives in the production of food which are safe to the environment should be endorsed. Humans should be able to satisfy their divergent needs in ways that do not pollute the environment. Moreover, the relationship of mutual benefit between humans and nature should be observed to ensure their survival in future. Generally, farm factories have a significance that is debatable with respect to various perspectives.
Works Cited
Friends of Earth. "What is Factory Farming." Friends of Earth (2010): 26-28.
Greenhaven Press Editor. Factory Farming. Ed. Greenhaven Press Editor. Illustrated. Detroit Michigan: Cengage Gale, 2013.
Preece, Rod and Lorna Chamerlain. Animal Welfare & Human Values. Revised. Ontario: Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press, 2008.
Spedding, C. R. Animal Welfare. Illustrated. Oxford: Earthscan, 2012.
The Human Society of the United States. "Factory Farming in America." The Human Society of the United States (2005): 1-47.
Warren, Dean Marvin. Small Animal Care Management. Illustrated. Stamford: Cengage Learning, 2010.
Weis, Anthony John . The Global Food Economy: The Battle for the Future of Farming. Illustrated. London: Zed Books, 2007.
