Summary: This article refers to the ongoing debate over factory farming, and touches base on some states that are making laws that will eventually make factory farming illegal. Factory farming is when farmers use large-scale, intensive methods to have the highest, cheapest amount of eggs and meat produced. Ohio, the second largest egg producer in our nation, has agreed to stop using extreme cage methods by 2015. Michigan, Arizona, and Florida also have similar laws. People feel strongly about factory farming because they feel it is inhumane and wrong. However, considering 90% of our country's eggs are produced from chickens raised in cages, change may not be the best thing. The United Egg Producers, a national trade group, states that egg prices would rise by 25% if they were hatched by uncaged hens, which would be detrimental to school cafeterias and families alike. Additionally, the American Veal Association has agreed to abolish the close confinement of calves by 2017. Basically, factory farming is on the way to a much healthier and more ethical way of raising animals.
Quote: "...so-called factory farming — a staple of modern agriculture that is seen by critics as inhumane and a threat to the environment and health — is on the verge of significant change."
Photo:
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| This is the living conditions of pigs who are bred in factory farms. |
Questions:
1) What are your views on factory farming? Do you think it is inhumane, or just extremely efficient?
2) If you were to start a farm, would it be a factory farm or a family farm? Why?
3) If you could ever work at a factory farm, tending to the animals, would you do it? Or would it be too upsetting for you to see the animals in that kind of condition?
3) If you could ever work at a factory farm, tending to the animals, would you do it? Or would it be too upsetting for you to see the animals in that kind of condition?
This ties in with question 1. I think that even though we get most of our food products from factory farms, it is very inhumane and harmful to animals. The picture you posted was absolutely awful. I can’t believe people actually do that to animals. I'm also glad that people are taking measures to try and put a stop to it, or at least try and make it less cruel.
ReplyDelete2. I would begin with a family farm just to start out with, but I might upgrade to a factory-like farm just because it would be more efficient, but I would personally make sure the animals were treated properly.
3. I don’t think I would be able to work in that kind of environment. I would probably end up setting all of the animals free because I wouldn’t be able to stand watching them suffer.
I am so torn on this topic!!!
ReplyDeleteI want animals to be treated humanely, but I also think it will make for more expensive food, which is unfair to people who have a small income.
I also read somewhere that animals that are treated poorly are under stress, and release stress hormones, so when we eat animals that are under stress, we have additional stress hormones in our bodies, isn't that crazy?!?!?! I want to read more about this to see if it is true.
I agree with Mrs. DeLuca, I think that what there doing to these animals is terrible and it would be nice to see a change in the way they are treated, but raising the prices on these everyday goods will be unfair to people with a smaller income. I feel that without factory farming many jobs will be lost. Also, with higher prices on common goods more people will eat less of them and eat more unhealthy, cheaper, junk foods.
ReplyDeleteI want to know
1.) How much exactly each good will cost without factory farming?
2.) How many family farms will be needed to make up for the lack for factory farms?
3.) Who will run all of the family farms if most people already have jobs and are not experienced farmers?