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SlimVirgin (talk | contribs) no, these terms are used interchangeably; see factory farming talk page; it is absurd to have three articles on the same topic |
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'''Industrial agriculture''' is a modern form of [[intensive farming]] that refers to the [[Industry|industrialized]] production of [[livestock]], [[poultry]] (in "battery farms"), [[fish]], and [[Crop (agriculture)|crops]]. The methods deployed are designed to produce the highest output at the lowest cost; usually using economies of scale, modern machinery, modern medicine, and [[Globalization|global trade]] for financing, purchases and sales. The practice is widespread in [[developed nation]]s, and most of the [[meat]], [[dairy]], [[Egg (food)|egg]]s, and crops available in [[supermarket]]s are produced in this manner. |
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Proponents of factory farming argue that it makes food production safer and more efficient, while opponents argue that it harms the environment and abuses the animals.<ref> Germany's chancellor, Dr [[Gerhard Schroeder]], has called for an end to factory farming in response to Europe's [[Bovine spongiform encephalopathy|BSE]] crisis,([http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1046184.stm "EU tackles BSE crisis"], BBC News, November 29, 2000.) which British scientists have blamed on factory farming methods.([http://archives.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/12/04/health.madcow.reut/index.html "Scientists: factory farming drop could end mad cow"], Reuters, December 4, 2000.)</ref> |
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==History== |
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The practice of industrial agriculture is a relatively recent development in the [[history of agriculture]], and the result of scientific discoveries and technological advances. Innovations in agriculture beginning in the late 1800s generally parallel developments in [[mass production]] in other industries that characterized the latter part of the [[Industrial Revolution]]. The identification of [[nitrogen]] and [[phosphorus]] as critical factors in plant growth led to the manufacture of synthetic [[fertilizer]]s, making possible more intensive types of agriculture. The discovery of [[vitamin]]s and their role in animal [[nutrition]], in the first two decades of the [[20th century]], led to vitamin supplements, which in the 1920s allowed certain livestock to be raised indoors, reducing their exposure to adverse natural elements. The discovery of [[antibiotic]]s and [[vaccine]]s facilitated raising livestock in larger numbers by reducing disease. Chemicals developed for use in [[World War II]] gave rise to synthetic [[pesticide]]s. Developments in shipping networks and technology have made long-distance distribution of agricultural produce feasible. |
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==Evaluation== |
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While the point of factory farming is lower cost products to create greater productivity thus a higher standard of living as measured by available goods and services; factory farming methods have side effects both good and bad. Further, factory farming is not some single indivisible thing, but instead is comprised of numerous seperate elements, each of which can be modified, and in fact is modified in response to market conditions, government regulation, and scientific advances. So the question then becomes for each specific element that goes into a factory farming method or technique or process: What bad side effects are bad enough that the financial gain and good side effects are outweighed? Different interest groups not only reach different conclusions on this, but also recommend differing solutions; which then become factors in changing both market conditions and government regulations. |
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==Animals== |
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==Crops== |
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====Features==== |
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*'''large scale''' — hundreds or thousands of acres of a single crop (much more than can be absorbed into the local or regional market); |
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*'''monoculture''' — large areas of a single crop, often raised from year to year on the same land, or with little [[crop rotation]]; |
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*'''agrichemicals''' — reliance on imported, synthetic fertilizers and pesticides to provide nutrients and to mitigate pests and diseases, these applied on a regular schedule; the use of fertilizer recycled from [[toxic waste]] and other hazardous industrial [[byproduct]]s is common in the US.<ref>Duff, Wilson. [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/news/special/fear_fields.html "Fear In The Fields -- How Hazardous Wastes Become Fertilizer ..."], ''The Seattle Times'': July 3, 1997.</ref> |
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*'''hybrid seed''' — use of specialized hybrids designed to favor large scale distribution (e.g. ability to ripen off the vine, to withstand shipping and handling); |
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*'''genetically engineered crops''' — use of genetically modified varieties ([[Genetically modified organism|GMOs]]) designed for large scale production (e.g. ability to withstand selected herbicides); |
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*'''large scale irrigation''' — heavy water use, and in some cases, growing of crops in otherwise unsuitable regions by extreme use of water (e.g. [[rice paddy|rice paddies]] on arid land). |
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*'''high mechanization''' |
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====Criticism==== |
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Critics of intensively farmed crops cite a wide range of concerns. On the food quality front, it is held by critics that quality is reduced when crops are bred and grown primarily for cosmetic and shipping characteristics. Environmentally, factory farming of crops is claimed to be responsible for loss of [[biodiversity]], degradation of soil quality, soil erosion, food toxicity (pesticide residues) and pollution (through agrichemical build-ups and [[runoff]], and use of fossil fuels for agrichemical manufacture and for [[farm machinery]] and long-distance [[distribution (business)|distribution]]). |
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==Alternatives== |
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The definition of factory farming is somewhat variable, and therefore the proposed alternatives to factory farming are not sharply defined. In general, critics of factory farming advocate decentralized approaches to food production, such as [[guerilla gardening]], smaller farms serving local [[farmer's market]]s or [[community supported agriculture]], and the reduction or elimination of synthetic agents in agriculture. |
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A number of countries, including the United States, have legislated [[organic certification|organic production standards]], which preclude some of the practices that characterize factory farming. The United States Department of Agriculture has made detailed regulations which cover many aspects of agricultural production, processing, storage and transportation. However, terminology used by the USDA in regards to many of its regulations, including those concerning animal welfare, is vague<ref> [http://www.ams.usda.gov/NOP/NOP/standards/FullText.pdf USDA PDF]</ref> and may be construed in the farm's favor. (see [[Organic certification#Manipulation of regulations]]) |
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Some have proposed [[genetically modified]] foods as a way to address certain issues in industrial agriculture, particularly concerns with excess use of pesticides and fertilizers. |
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Others believe the production of livestock to be unnecessary, and suggest the abolishment of the industry altogether, promoting a [[vegan]] lifestyle. |
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== See also == |
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{{commonscat|Industrial agriculture}} |
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*[[Agribusiness]] |
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*[[Animal welfare]] |
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*[[Bernard Matthews]] |
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*[[Concentrated animal feeding operation]] |
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*[[ConAgra Foods]] |
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*[[Environmental vegetarianism]] |
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*[[Extensive farming]] |
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*[[Feedlot]] |
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*[[Intensive farming]] |
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*[[Intensive pig farming]] |
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*[[List of United States foodborne illness outbreaks]] |
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*[[Maple Leaf Foods]] |
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*[[Organic farming]] |
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*[[Smithfield Foods]] |
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*[[Sustainable agriculture]] |
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*[[Tyson Foods]] |
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==Sources and notes== |
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<div class="references-small"> |
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<references/> |
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</div> |
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==Further reading == |
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;Government regulation |
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*[http://www.cnmpwatch.com/show_story.php?id=35164 Brief History of CAFO Regulations] - from the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture |
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;Commissions assessing industrial agriculture |
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*[http://www.ncifap.org/ National Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production], Independent commission studying the effects of intensive animal production |
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;Proponent, neutral, and industry-related |
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*[http://www.joe.org/joe/2006february/a4.shtml Journal of Extension], article on case studies of the impact of large scale agriculture |
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*[http://www.fb.org/ US Farm Bureau], Farm and Ranchers association |
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*[http://www.supportiowasfarmers.com/ Coalition to Support Iowa Farmers] |
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*[http://www.agweb.com/dairytoday.asp Dairy Today magazine] |
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*[http://www.ers.usda.gov/Emphases/SafeFood/ USDA food safety] |
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*[http://www.foodsci.purdue.edu/outreach/ Purdue University food science extension] |
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;Criticism of factory farming |
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*[http://www.animalsuffering.com/resources/facts/factory-farming.php Anti-agricultural FAQs on Factory Farming] |
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*[http://mulliganstew.wordpress.com/2006/12/10/fatal-harvest-the-tragedy-of-industrial-agriculture/ Fatal Harvest - The Tragedy of Industrial Agriculture] |
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*[http://www.askforchange.org Ask For Change] resources for consumers |
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*[http://www.shoestringtravels.com/animals/Stats.htm A critique of factory farming] |
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*[http://www.factoryfarming.com/ FactoryFarming.com] |
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*[http://www.goveg.com/factoryFarming.asp Cruelty to Animals: Mechanized Madness] - Article with links to photos and videos of factory farming |
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*[http://www.petatv.com/tvpopup/Prefs.asp?video=foie_gras_long foie gras production] - Video of Foie Gras production |
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*[http://www.husbandryinstitute.org Husbandry Institute] Promoting sustainable, responsible, and ethical animal husbandry |
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*[http://www.hsus.org/farm/ Information about factory farming] from The Humane Society of the United States |
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*[http://www.indybay.org/news/2006/02/1800233.php Inside the California Egg Industry: An Undercover Investigation] - Video of hens in battery cages at various intensive egg farming facilities. (2/4/06) |
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*[http://www.themeatrix.com/ The Meatrix] - a parody of ''[[The Matrix]]'' |
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*[http://www.themeatrix2.com/ The Meatrix 2: Revolting] - the second installment of the Meatrix parodying ''The Matrix'' |
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*[http://www.meetyourmeat.com/wycd.html Meet Your Meat] - a PETA-produced factory farm tour narrated by [[Alec Baldwin]] |
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*[http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0226-02.htm Factory Farms Blamed for Spread of Bird Flu] |
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*[http://www.EggIndustry.com See inside an egg factory farm] |
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*[http://www.ChickenIndustry.com See inside a chicken factory farm] |
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*[http://www.cok.net/feat/paefi.php One of PA's largest egg farms charged with animal cruelty] |
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*[http://www.torturedbytyson.com/ TorturedbyTyson.com] - Undercover investigation of a Tyson Foods processing plant |
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[[Category:Livestock]] |
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[[Category:Poultry farming]] |
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[[Category:Animal rights]] |
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[[Category:Meat processing]] |
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[[Category:Agriculture]] |
Revision as of 00:31, 18 May 2007
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