Executive Summary
The Industrial Farm Animal Production (IFAP) has replaced the small family farm and traditional farming operations. The IFAP system confines large numbers of animals to small areas, resulting in crowded conditions for the animals. The current system of raising farm animals presents unacceptable risks to public health of workers at agriculture operations and processing facilities, communities near these confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs), and to the environment. Specific problems include an increase in antibiotic resistant bacteria resulting from an overuse in antibiotics and poor animal health due to limited movement & confined quarters. Neighboring properties may experience poor air quality or contamination of ground and surface water resulting from improperly managed animal waste.
Main Article Summary
The goal of agriculture has always been to meet human demand for food as the population grows. Improved agricultural methods have resulted in increased yields and decreased cost of production over the centuries, to keep up with the needs of an increasing human population. Industrial farms have provided short-term farm efficiency and affordable food. The goal is to grow more animals in less space, use cost-efficient feed and replace workers with technology. Public health affects of IFAP include the spread of disease and pathogens from animals to humans. The system relies on a large number of animals in on place, which produce large amounts of animal waste. This waste is stored in manure lagoons, stockpiled and applied to agricultural fields where pathogens and nutrients may cause a threat to public health. Specific public health concerns of IFAPs include transmitting diseases from animals to humans, food born diseases and the safety and health of workers.
Solution:
The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York has laid out a simple solution. NOFA-NY promotes organic food production and local marketing. If consumers no longer purchase products from industrialized farms, these farms will go out of business and the problem will be solved. NOFA-NY's organization of farmers, gardeners and consumers work together to create a sustainable food system that is economically viable and environmentally sound.
https://www.nofany.org/
