(P1) Animals that are raised on factory farms have miserable lives.

(P2) It is more permissible to kill an animal’s that has a miserable life than it is to kill an animal’s that has a happy life, in order to eat them.

(C1) It is more permissible to kill a factory farmed animal than it is to kill an animal that lives a happy life, in order to eat them.

This argument comes from Levitt’s claim that she would rather eat a creature that never really lived its life rather than one that was enjoying its life one day and being slaughtered the next day. One objection to this argument is that the animals that are killed that lived happy lives, such as those on a free-range farm, will be replaced with another animal that will be able to enjoy the same sort of happy life. Therefore killing animals that live happy lives allow more total animals to live happy lives. Therefore (P2) can be thought to be false.

            Another argument that Levitt poses is as follows

(P1) Factory farming animals is the only way to produce meat that never had an individual identity.

(P2) Producing meat from an animal that once had an individual identity is cruel.

(C1) Producing factory farmed meat is the only way to produce meat withoutbeing cruel.

One objection to this argument that Levitt poses is that many people believe that the inhumane conditions and treatment that many factory farmed animals are subjected to is far more cruel than eating animals that have an individual identity. Therefore producing factory farmed meat is actually cruel. This objection shows that (P2) can be thought of as false.

The second reason that McGinn’s argument is not valid is because (M7) claims that the only permissible option is to become a vegetarian. This conclusion does not have to be true even if the premises are all true. If (M1) through (M6) are true it follows that factory farming is impermissible because it treats animals poorly. Therefore any permissible option would be one in which the animals are not treated poorly. The practice of free-range farming, a way of farming in which animals are raised for food and killed for their flesh, but treated well during their lifetime, would be a viable alternative to factory farming because it treats the animals well during their lifetime. Therefore even if all the premises are true the conclusion that you should be a free-range farmer is also a possible conclusion, which means that the argument is invalid.

The third reason that McGinn’s argument is invalid is because all the premises are referring to the practice of raising and killing animals in a manner that does not treat them well, while the conclusion is referring to the manner in which you eat. Even if it is wrong to factory farm animals because it treats them poorly, eating factory farmed meat is not the same as factory farming the meat yourself. Even if all the premises of McGinn’s argument are true, there is nothing in his argument that claims eating factory farmed meat is wrong. McGinn would need to add a premise stating that the wrongness of factory farming makes eating meat wrong in order to validate his argument

It is the rearing of animals like cattle, poultry and other farm animals in closed buildings. The animals do not have space to move about. They are not left out to graze. The animals are treated cruelly and are numbered instead of named. These animals are given high doses of antibiotic injections which are harmful also for the people who consume the dairy products.

The animal waste is a huge problem. Lack of space leads to improper disposal and thus causes diseases like swine flu, bird flu, etc;. Transportation between farms can cause diseases to spread easily. In the past few years, so many people have died due to these diseases which are actually brought about by inhuman practices.

People should try to buy local farm produce or grow their own poultry if it is possible. People can also demand products which are grown on natural farms. It may be costly, but at least the health will not be at stake.

Meat, milk and eggs are typically produced in huge numbers for human consumption by factory farming. In order for a factory farm to be successful managing large numbers of animals in confined spaces, antibiotics, pesticides and chemicals are used to prevent diseases and maintain crops. 

Much criticism has been laid upon the practice of factory farming for several reasons. The practice of confining animals for what are possibly their entire lives is one of the main reasons many people are unhappy with the practice of factory farming. The animals are often shackled and under a tremendous amount of stress. A antimicrobial agents, vitamin supplements, and growth hormones are used to artificially maintain the health of the animal, which causes many people to question the quality of the food they are eating. 

One of the biggest problems with factory farming is the impact is has on the environment. Agribusinesses produce large amounts of air, water and soil pollution in multiple ways. This pollution not only can harm the animals and farm workers on site, but can pollute nearby communities as well. 

Water pollution caused by factory farming can be serious and cause many ill effects and diseases. A common practice of factory farms is to clear animal waste from pens and fill large ponds full of manure. These ponds can leak or flood and seep into streams, rivers, and lakes. It can also seep down into the groundwater where many people get their drinking water. One of the most potent deadly bacteria, E. coli, can be found in water that has been contaminated with animal waste. Antibiotics have been found in factory farmed animal waste as well, and have ended up in waterways all across the United States. Some of the antibiotics in water is attributed to factory farm runoff. Factory farming of vegetables and fruit causes can cause the soil to erode and pesticides to run off into water supplies. 

The air pollution created by factory farms comes from many sources. Factory farms produce chemicals like ammonia and methane, which comes from the animal waste. There are also large quantities of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, all of which are harmful to humans and deadly in large amounts. Not only does the management of the animals create air pollution, but so does the vast amounts of equipment, machinery and trucks that are used by factory farms. Nearly all animals from a factory farm have to be shipped to slaughterhouses and then the meat or produce is shipped again to the grocery store, usually thousands of miles away. 

Soil contamination and pollution can occur at factory farms. Nitrogen and phosphorous from fertilizer that is used on feed crops can ruin soil quality and run off into nearby waterways. The use of pesticides can alter or destroy certain habitats. The land is degraded further by compacting of the soil and the process of salinity or acidification of the soil due to chemicals and waste. Deforestation and the stripping of land can destroy nutrient rich soil. Chemicals used on the soil can then become airborne and inhaled, causing illness. 

Regulation of factory farms is done by the Environmental Protection Agencv and laws like the Clean Water Act. The term “Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations” was coined by the EPA to describe any feeding facility that holds animals for 45 days or more and does not grow any type of vegetation. There are three types of CAFO’s the EPA can designate, which are dependant on the type of animal and the number of animals at the facility. These designations assist the EPA in regulating and monitoring factory farms for pollution and contamination violations. Although the regulations can vary from state to state, the EPA’s intentions is to prevent runoff of waste from factory farms and other types of pollution, and penalize those who contaminate the surrounding water, air and soil. 

There are several ways to ensure that consumers are getting quality foods grown or raised without using the factory farming process. The number one way is buy foods locally and from farms that practice organic methods or use other healthy farming techniques. Locally grown foods are better in many ways. Meat and produce are always much more fresh because they are not shipped hundreds or thousands of miles to a store. Buying this way lessens the need for trucks, fossil fuels and the risk of creating more air pollution. Purchasing local healthy meats and produce also means that as a consumer, you know where your food originated. In many cases, when one buys local foods, they meet and actually get to know the farmer, especially at farmers markets which are found in most large cities and smaller towns.

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Introduction

     “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can judged by the way its animals are treated” – Mohandas Ghandi. Every day, somewhere in the world, an animal is forced to fight for its life. Whether it be an adorable puppy or kitten, or livestock on a factory farm, animals are unnecessarily abused. The purpose of this report is to educate people about the cruelty animal’s face on a daily basis.

Loyal Companions

     The news today is often filled with horrible stories about animal abuse, at the hands of sick and twisted people. An example of this is Pit-Bull fighting. It is a cruel form of entertainment and it means exactly what the name implies. Pit-bulls are pitted against each other in deadly combat. They are abused and trained to become aggressive fighters. (Blackdog) This in turn has caused people to see these creatures as a threat to society, causing them to become hated, banned and even put-down in many areas. (Blackdog) If we take away pit-bulls from society, won’t these dog fighters just find a new breed to intoxicate with their irresponsible ways? However, society will not blame the owner! They are always going to put the blame on the animal even though they were taught to act that way. Another terrible form of animal cruelty is the concept of puppy mills and farms. The main purpose is to produce large numbers of puppies and to find the cheapest way to do so. (Blackdog) The puppies are not properly cared for and must live their lives in tiny cages and unsanitary conditions. (Blackdog) The owners of these farms do not care about the puppies, only the money they make by keeping them. However, not all animal abuse is intentional. Animal hoarding is a mental disorder and people who suffer from it will keep a huge number of animals in their home. (Blackdog) They do not realize the harm they are doing to these poor creatures. It becomes overcrowded with so many animals being there and it becomes unsanitary to live in. (Blackdog) We hear so much about the abuse these innocent creatures suffer,  but it still continues.

Factory Farming

     Furthermore, most people don’t know the truth behind their food but, the sad fact is that a lot of the animals we eat have been abused in some way. Small family farms are done and large factory farms have taken their place. “Over 95% of the 650 million animals raised and slaughtered for food in Canada today are mass-produced on factory farms.” (Chooseveg)  These animals are packed tightly into dark and dirty warehouses, stuck in cages and chained to stalls, barely able to move. Most of them never experience fresh air or even sunlight! (Chooseveg) Some animals even suffocate because of how overcrowded it is on these farms. (Chooseveg) How would you feel if that was how you were to spend your entire life? The meat suppliers of Canada do not care about the well being of their animals and they are “treated as no more then mechanized parts of a food assembly line” (Chooseveg). The animals are forced to suffer terrible abuse. Chickens have their beak tips amputated, suffer ammonia burns, broken limbs, and have their throats slit while still conscious. (Chooseveg) Cows endure branding, castration and dehorning. (Chooseveg) Pigs have their tails cut off, teeth clipped, ears notched and are castrated. (Chooseveg) It’s disgusting and sickening that they feel the need to unnecessarily harm these innocent animals. Female animals are kept constantly pregnant, left to live in cramped cages. The worst part is that after a mother gives birth, her child is taken away from her. Imagine how you would feel if your child was ripped away from you. That is the worst pain a female animal will suffer, because they are losing someone they love. “Most Canadians do not view animals the same way that people did in the Victorian era,” said Melissa Tkachyk. These animals suffer horrible abuse for society and most people don’t even care.   

The lack of Justice

     In addition, many incidents of animal cruelty have resulted in little or no punishment. This proves that Canada’s cruelty laws are weak. Compared to other developed countries, Canada is sadly behind in its animal cruelty laws. Bill S-203 was created in 2008, in order to update Canada’s animal cruelty act and help to further decrease the amount of animal abuse in society. (Perkel) “However, [less] than one-quarter of 1 percent of the charges under Bill S-203 result in convictions.” For example, in one case a New Brunswick man was acquitted of charges for killing five dogs with a hammer. Apparently since the dogs were seen as his property, he was allowed to dispose of them however he wanted and was only charged a fifty dollar fine. (Perkel) The only reason this law was passed in the first place was to make the Canadian politicians look good. The government does not care about the well being of animals.  Canada has made an effort to decrease animal cruelty, however it still remains a serious problem.

Conclusion

     In conclusion, animals suffer terrible abuse and it has become a serious issue in society. The sad fact is,           most people don’t care

 Sources

Perkel, Colin. “Animal Cruelty Law Lacks Teeth.” The Star. The Star, Sunday 12 April. 2009.

     Web. 10 January. 2011

“Animal Abuse and Cruelty”. Blackdogrescueproject. N.P. 2009. January 10. 2011

“Factory Farming in Canada”. Chooseveg. N.P. N.D. January 10. 2011

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Factory farming is a term used for and when large production of live stock in a confined environment at high stocking densities takes place, this term is used when a farm acts as a factory, the produce made from these factory farms are usually meat, milk, or eggs for human consumption.

The large concentration of animals, animal waste, and the potential for dead animals in a small space poses ethical issues. It is recognized that some techniques used to sustain intensive agriculture can be cruel to animals. As awareness of the problems of intensive techniques has grown, there have been some efforts by governments, industry and also by animal protection groups to remove the poor techniques used.

PROS:

• The population’s demand for meat, eggs and milk can be fulfilled at an acceptable price
• Production of more “meaty” animal flesh.
• More profits can be made from farming in this way.

CONS:

• Animals generally face ill-treatment in factory farms due to space constraints and lack of health care facilities.
• Overcrowding of animals under sheds leads to rapid spread of diseases and infections which can affect the factory workers and even the meat produced from the animals.
• Factory farmers normally use chemicals and antibiotics so as to induce maturity amongst farmed animals which can hence be taken to slaughter houses.

Organic farming and factory farming are two very different methods of farming. Today, I’ll show you the bad things about factory farming. First of all, factory farms are in a constant cycle of planting seeds, bombing them with pesticides, fertilizers, harvesting them, and repeat this cycle over and over again for as many years as they can. What’s wrong with that cycle? First of all, pesticides do keep the pests out but they’re also not that easy to wash off. When you don’t wash them off, food poisoning might happen.  In Canada, rinsing and rubbing a little is enough to get those pesticides off, but in other countries, it’s a lot different. Take china for example, our family has been in Canada for long enough that we forgot how to wash vegetables in china. When my dad cooked dinner one night, all he did was rinse, rub, and cook. And that night everyone who ate the lettuce dish got sick and spent a few hours in the washroom. Pesticides aren’t the only thing that can cause sickness in factory farmed products, their fertilizer is most cases is animal manure and they smell so bad that loss of sense of smell have been recorded in factory farm workers. An added plus, the manure isn’t just there sitting in a huge tank not bothering anybody, it’s constantly leaking into the ground, therefore, contaminating ground water and the soil. Can you imagine drinking water contaminated with animal manure? These leaks have produced sickness mainly caused my salmonella and in a few cases, the sickened person died. This probably won’t happen to all of you but in some poor regions they do. Not only does that manure pollute ground and surface water, it can cause an algal boom in the ocean or lakes and rivers. This algal boom causes an area of the water to be depleted of oxygen because of all the algae. This is from the everyday little by little spilling from manure lagoons. When the actual holding tank collapses or gives away or over flood, huge areas of land can be destroyed. In August 2005, a factory farm in New York’s manure lagoon collapsed and killed over 250,000 fish in a nearby river. Three million gallons were dumped into the river. That incident destroyed the ecosystem in the river for a long time.

Not only does factory faming pollutes the environment and the life support systems of our planet, it also uses a lot of energy. A beef cow raised on the range produces more food energy than it does to raise them. On a factory farm, the energy used in raising that cow is over ten times the food energy it provides. So you can imagine how much oil and electricity and manpower went into making a single burger.

Factory farms claim to provide jobs for the community in which it is built. However, in reality factory farms dramatically lower the living conditions of the community around it. It does not provide as many jobs as it says it will due to two reasons. One, the factory farm owners try to employ as little people as possible so that the profit will be the highest. Two, who would want to work on a farm that’s constantly clouded with the overpowering smell of manure? The workers that do work there are constantly under the exposure to hazardous gases.

So in the end, we have a farm that can potentially kill people, downgrade the standard of living in the areas around it, under the constant threat of spilling millions of gallons of manure into nearby lakes and rivers, and using so much electricity and oil and power to raise a cow. Organic farming has lasted the human population on this planet for centuries. Already, it hasn’t even been a century and factory farming is already being disputed and ecosystems, lives, and land have been destroyed because of them. It is not the bright, inventive and wise alternative to organic farming as we thought it would be. Maybe sometimes, old traditions are much better off than modern technology.