Factory Farming
Factory farming is a type of industrial farming
which has grown in popularity in during the 1900’s and early 20th century. Factory farming focuses
predominantly on meat (chicken, beef and pork), milk and eggs for human consumption.
In today’s society, meat consumption has increased with most
people including a type of meat into their daily diets, increasing the consumer
demand for meat. At the same time, the number of meat producers has largely
decreased in comparison with 40 years ago. In another word, people now eat ten
times more meat than in 1970. For instance, through the years of 1970 to 2002,
the number of pig producers in Australia decrease by 94%, whereas the consumer
demand for pork increased by approximately 130%. Today, chickens, cows and pigs
are heavily factory farmed, with only a small minority being raised on
traditional farms, giving rise to free-range and organic meat and animal
products.
In Australia, animals are legally categorized as ‘farming
property’.However, factory farmed animals are treated as commodities, due to the
poor conditions inside the factories. The poor and cramped living conditions
inside factory farms, increases the likeliness of animals to become seriously
ill. Furthermore, the restricted living conditions prevent the animals from
seeing daylight as they were meant to, cannot eat properly, and cannot form
normal relationships. They have no voice, no ability to defend themselves, and
there is no guarantee of a humane death. The growth of factory faming is caused
by private factory owners and profit driven
organisations.
which has grown in popularity in during the 1900’s and early 20th century. Factory farming focuses
predominantly on meat (chicken, beef and pork), milk and eggs for human consumption.
In today’s society, meat consumption has increased with most
people including a type of meat into their daily diets, increasing the consumer
demand for meat. At the same time, the number of meat producers has largely
decreased in comparison with 40 years ago. In another word, people now eat ten
times more meat than in 1970. For instance, through the years of 1970 to 2002,
the number of pig producers in Australia decrease by 94%, whereas the consumer
demand for pork increased by approximately 130%. Today, chickens, cows and pigs
are heavily factory farmed, with only a small minority being raised on
traditional farms, giving rise to free-range and organic meat and animal
products.
In Australia, animals are legally categorized as ‘farming
property’.However, factory farmed animals are treated as commodities, due to the
poor conditions inside the factories. The poor and cramped living conditions
inside factory farms, increases the likeliness of animals to become seriously
ill. Furthermore, the restricted living conditions prevent the animals from
seeing daylight as they were meant to, cannot eat properly, and cannot form
normal relationships. They have no voice, no ability to defend themselves, and
there is no guarantee of a humane death. The growth of factory faming is caused
by private factory owners and profit driven
organisations.
Case Study: Piggeries
Pigs are a primary victim of factory farming. From the moment a piglet is born into these conditions, a painful and detrimental life is guaranteed. Despite your expectations, these processes are being undertaken here in Australia.
As a Piglet
Born into a heavily crowded and unnatural environment, piglets are quickly taken from their mothers, causing high levels of anxiety, and undergo agonizing surgical procedures. Firstly, their teeth are cut and grinded to prevent irritation for the mother when milking, without the use of pain relief medication. This can result in weeks of aching, further enhanced through the castration of all male piglets, once again without anaesthetic. Once this chapter has concluded, hundreds of piglets are loaded into enclosures.
As a Female (Sow)
Female pigs are the ‘producers’ in a factory farm. When pregnant, they are immediately moved into a body sized enclosure called ‘sow stalls’. When in these circumstances, they cannot interact with other pigs, and lack space to move, hence causing physiological damage. When approaching birth, they are then moved into ‘furrowing crates’ permitting no movement whatsoever, where their piglets are quickly removed after taking milk from the mother. When this process is complete, the sow will be made pregnant repetitively, until they cannot produce a sufficient amount of piglets. They then are killed.
As a Male (Boar)
In order to grow to a suitable size, boars are contained in enclosures. These confined areas have no fresh air, no space and lack decent hygiene levels. The pigs are forced to endure life in an unnatural environment, complete with concrete grounds and complete darkness.
As a Piglet
Born into a heavily crowded and unnatural environment, piglets are quickly taken from their mothers, causing high levels of anxiety, and undergo agonizing surgical procedures. Firstly, their teeth are cut and grinded to prevent irritation for the mother when milking, without the use of pain relief medication. This can result in weeks of aching, further enhanced through the castration of all male piglets, once again without anaesthetic. Once this chapter has concluded, hundreds of piglets are loaded into enclosures.
As a Female (Sow)
Female pigs are the ‘producers’ in a factory farm. When pregnant, they are immediately moved into a body sized enclosure called ‘sow stalls’. When in these circumstances, they cannot interact with other pigs, and lack space to move, hence causing physiological damage. When approaching birth, they are then moved into ‘furrowing crates’ permitting no movement whatsoever, where their piglets are quickly removed after taking milk from the mother. When this process is complete, the sow will be made pregnant repetitively, until they cannot produce a sufficient amount of piglets. They then are killed.
As a Male (Boar)
In order to grow to a suitable size, boars are contained in enclosures. These confined areas have no fresh air, no space and lack decent hygiene levels. The pigs are forced to endure life in an unnatural environment, complete with concrete grounds and complete darkness.
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