Industrialization of Animal Agriculture Jeopardizes Food Security, says Humane Society International
NEW DELHI (January 11, 2012) —Humane
Society International has released a report critical of the idea that
inhumane confinement of animals in industrial production facilities
somehow enhances food security. In
reality, the HSI report demonstrated, the industrialization of animal
agriculture does just the opposite, jeopardizing food security by
degrading the environment, threatening human health, and diminishing
income-earning opportunities in rural areas.
“There
is strong scientific evidence of the negative impacts of these animal
factories on people and animals,” said Chetana Mirle, Ph.D., director of
farm animal protection for HSI. “We must do a better job of supporting
small-farmer led and animal welfare-friendly agriculture, as well as
implementing stronger environmental and farm animal welfare
regulations.”
In
India, 140 to 200 million egg-laying hens are confined to barren, wire
battery cages so restrictive they cannot even spread their wings. Each
bird has less living space than an A4 sheet of paper. With no
opportunity to experience most natural behaviors, such as nesting, dust
bathing, perching and foraging, these birds endure lives wrought with
suffering. Factory farms that confine more than 50,000 birds within a
single shed are increasingly common in the country.
In
2008, more than 720 million chickens were slaughtered in India for
their meat. These broiler chickens also experience crowded confinement
and other adverse conditions.
The HSI report, The Impact of Industrial Farm Animal Production on Food Security in the Developing World,
reviews the growing body of evidence showing that industrial farm
animal production fails to improve food security. Some highlights of the
document are:
· Increasingly
inhumane conditions for animals on farms do not benefit people. For
example, the growing confinement of India’s egg laying hens in cramped
battery cages has failed to significantly improve the nutritional
outcomes for low-income communities.
· More
humane farming practices can benefit human communities as well as
animals. The report urges the government to implement progressive
environmental, public health, and animal welfare regulations to minimize
the negative impacts of industrial farm animal production on animals,
the environment, and vulnerable human populations.
Media Contact: N.G.Jayasimha: (0)9490732614, ngjayasimha@hsi.org