...about "not eating beef again." Wasn't that because of the way some of them are raised and/or slaughtered? Raising them in one thing; slaughtering them is another story with other issues.
I just finished a book called Animal Factory by David Kirby, about CAFOs (confined animal feeding operations.) In essence, factory farms. Since I have an Ag background, through my schooling, I thought this was a rather positive idea. When I was in college, in the early 70s, we went to visit some poultry farms in Indiana, which raised birds in confinement; and had laying hens in confinement. This was thought to be efficient, healthy (enough) for the birds, and safe. After reading Mr. Kirby's book, I'm beginning to question whether I want to eat any meat products at all!
The manure problems are enormous, and not that easy to deal with. The documented failings of these farms to prevent pollution from getting into the water systems is appalling. The air pollution and falling land prices for surrounding properties has been proven. Last, but not least, the true welfare of the animals is practically non-existent. And because they are often physically stressed, they are fed additives to help them cope. These additives have an effect on our own personal health, on down the line, as those additives can be in the form of antibiotics and/or hormones that are not processed out of the food chain. Just today there is news of a salmonella outbreak which appears to be antibiotic resistant, and at least one person has died.
Farmland around here has become premium as housing developments take over. Farming doesn't actually pay for the farmer to just farm. They all have to keep outside jobs and this can lead to an 80 hour work week, or more! Farming is truly a labor of love.
I'm starting to look for true organic food more and more, but its hard to find. Since there are only two of us in the household, I'll pay the extra cost, jsut to keep myself healthier, and the true farmer in business. Big business can't run everything!
I just finished a book called Animal Factory by David Kirby, about CAFOs (confined animal feeding operations.) In essence, factory farms. Since I have an Ag background, through my schooling, I thought this was a rather positive idea. When I was in college, in the early 70s, we went to visit some poultry farms in Indiana, which raised birds in confinement; and had laying hens in confinement. This was thought to be efficient, healthy (enough) for the birds, and safe. After reading Mr. Kirby's book, I'm beginning to question whether I want to eat any meat products at all!
The manure problems are enormous, and not that easy to deal with. The documented failings of these farms to prevent pollution from getting into the water systems is appalling. The air pollution and falling land prices for surrounding properties has been proven. Last, but not least, the true welfare of the animals is practically non-existent. And because they are often physically stressed, they are fed additives to help them cope. These additives have an effect on our own personal health, on down the line, as those additives can be in the form of antibiotics and/or hormones that are not processed out of the food chain. Just today there is news of a salmonella outbreak which appears to be antibiotic resistant, and at least one person has died.
Farmland around here has become premium as housing developments take over. Farming doesn't actually pay for the farmer to just farm. They all have to keep outside jobs and this can lead to an 80 hour work week, or more! Farming is truly a labor of love.
I'm starting to look for true organic food more and more, but its hard to find. Since there are only two of us in the household, I'll pay the extra cost, jsut to keep myself healthier, and the true farmer in business. Big business can't run everything!
No comments:
Post a Comment