Factory farmers have less regard for the welfare of animals. With the focus on maximizing profit with minimal cost, quick output measures are chosen over best farming practices. The primary goal of these industries is to rapidly produce and supply animal products in large quantities all year round. Due to large-scale farming, meat from these farms come at a relatively low cost.

Factory farmers neglect the health and environmental impacts of the business. The issue of inappropriate use of chemicals persists within the industrial farming sector. This has spurred the problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among farmed animals and also humans who consume products form infected animals. AMR is a significant global threat to achieving our sustainable development goals on public health, food safety and security, animal production and economic development.

Currently, the problem of superbugs is one of the top ten global public health threats. It is estimated that 73% of antibiotics produced globally are used within the livestock sector. Especially in Africa, farmers can easily access antibiotics instead of ensuring best practices such as good hygiene, sanitation, proper human husbandry and biosecurity.

From the microbiological perspective, poor management of farmed animals cause numerous foodborne illnesses. In Africa alone, it is estimated that about 141,000 people suffer from foodborne diseases per annum.  The cost borne by poorer countries to fight such diseases amounts to about USD 110 billion every year.

Globally, about 2.5 billion cases of human illness and 2.7 million deaths are recorded from disease risks and superbugs every year. Experts project that superbugs will cause up to10 million deaths per year if serious action is not taken.

Furthermore, the source of animal feed for these farms is not sustainable. Factory farming requires massive feed inputs. Most often, forests are degraded to make space for the production of animal feed. Industrial livestock farming is increasingly polluting the environment, driving climate change and destroying wild animal habits.

Another issue with industrial livestock farming is the mismanagement of waste from the farms. A recent report by the World Animal Protection shows that farm waste is poorly managed. This leads to environmental contamination as well as breeds antimicrobial agents. The report further indicates that industrial livestock systems account for the largest source of methane and nitrous oxide.

Experts blame the addiction to meat and other animal products as a primary factor that encourages the growth of industrial livestock farming. “The addiction to meat, fueled by failed policies, corporate greed and unscrupulous marketing campaigns is causing farm animal suffering at an unprecedented level”, noted Dr Victor Yamo, Campaigns Manager World Animal Protection. The World Animal Protection therefore recommends the revision of the global food system as a starter to imagine a world where animals live free from cruelty and suffering.

SOURCE: World Animal Protection, Africa