Factory Farms: Polluting Rural Communities |
 |
October 8, 2008
| |
 |
| |
©www.FactoryFarm.org |
| |
For those unlucky enough to live near a factory farm, the flies, odors and health problems are no picnic. |
Every day in state and local newspapers around the country, articles are published that read almost identically to one another. The stories typically begin with mention of a proposed factory farm in the community, followed by interviews with concerned neighbors.
For those of us who live in cities and suburbs, the threats posed by factory farming may be difficult to picture.
Imagine having to keep your family indoors on summer days because the backyard is swarmed by flies from the nearby egg factory farm; buying bottled water out of necessity after learning your well was contaminated with manure from the nearby pig factory farm; or realizing your children are increasingly complaining of headaches, sore throats, diarrhea and burning eyes, which are all symptoms that have been experienced by neighbors of factory farms.
A factory farm in the neighborhood can create:
Who is paying the price for these problems? Not the factory farms.
Consumer Power
The prices on meat, egg and dairy products from factory farms don't reflect their true costs. While they may seem cheaper than products from more sustainable farms, they are being paid for every day in farm animal suffering, illnesses among factory farm workers and the degradation of rural communities.
We can make a difference with every bite we take—whether we choose to replace animal products with vegetarian fare, reduce the amount of meat, egg and dairy products we consume, or simply opt to forego factory farm products in favor of items from more sustainable farms.
By eating with an eye on the environment, we can help the planet and farm animals.
For more information, see Factory Farming in America: The True Cost of Animal Agribusiness for Rural Communities, Public Health, Families, Farmers, the Environment, and Animals.
Related Links
Factory Farms: Polluting Rural Communities, Part II
Factory Farms: Polluting Rural Communities, Part III
Factory Farms: Polluting Rural Communities, Part IV
Factory Farms: Polluting Rural Communities, Part V
Factory Farming in America: The True Cost of Animal Agribusiness
The Impact of Industrialized Animal Agriculture on Rural Communities
The Impact of Industrialized Animal Agriculture on the Environment
Legal Petition Filed to Stop San Diego Area Egg Farm from Releasing Tainted Water
Factory Farming Implicated in Emerging Human Diseases
Help Farm Animals...Follow the Three Rs
The HSUS Guide to Vegetarian Eating
What Kind of Vegetarian Eating Suits You?
