WSPA / 28 March 2012
Industrial animal agriculture uses intensive ‘production line’ methods to produce greater volumes of meat, dairy and eggs as quickly and as cheaply as possible. It is characterized by high stocking densities and/or close confinement, forced growth rates, high mechanization and low labour requirements. While this system has resulted in a remarkable increase in food production, it comes at great expense to animal welfare, environmental sustainability, human health and rural communities.
The costs of this industrial system are substantial and growing and, like farm animals, they remain largely hidden. The result is a misleading picture of the true costs associated with the production and consumption of intensively produced meat, dairy and eggs. What consumers don’t pay for upfront, will be paid for later in terms of escalating health care costs, environmental remediation, and the cost of depleted water and energy resources.
