Factory Farms: What Goes on Behind Closed Doors?
I invite you to imagine old MacDonald’s farm with more than one hundred cows. What do you see? Are there numerous pastures for the animals to graze? How about the old man carrying hay with a pitchfork in a straw cap, is he there? Is the big red barn there? Now, I invite you to look at the image below.
Here we have a modern day factory farm in Wisconsin; a much different sight than what was imagined above. These factory farms are all over the country, maximizing return for their livestock while overlooking basic animal rights (Cassuto 4). Not only that, these farms supply most of the meat that makes it onto our plates. Many animal rights organizations, such as PETA, have created videos informing the public of cruel normative practices in these factories. Unfortunately, we have not changed much. We might have seen these videos and empathized with the animals, but we have yet to limit the consumption of products coming out of them. So what can companies do to influence change? How can we as individuals make an impact on this issue? Let’s dive into some possible solutions.
Money, Politics, and the Media
The foundation of our capitalist economy has allowed factory farms to overlook unhealthy practices due to the efficiency of their produce. Government policy does not restrict, but instead allows for the continuation of these practices. Giant corporations are not lobbied against which is one of the only effective ways to influence a change within the industry. We are, however, citizens of a democratic republic that listens to the people. So, staying informed on current and proposed legislation that may prohibit these practices is one plausible solution. Additionally, the media does not directly challenge the justification of treating animals in the way this industry does (Almiron 2). This has created a frame, the bias towards supporting this industry hinders the population from seeing it for what it really is. Perhaps if the bias were shifted towards the industry defiance of morals for other species, the videos would gain more ground and allow for action to be taken.
Focus on the Individual, Not the Giants
Videos attacking the credibility of factory farm corporations have been made in the past, but they have not influenced behavioral change. This is due to the fact that we as individuals feel alienated from the issue when it is discussed at a higher level than what we believe we can influence. This concept is noticeable in other parts of society as well, like voting and recycling. Because problems are presented to us at such a large scale many believe it is up to advocates in power to create the change. But everyone can do their part to invoke change in this industry. We can do our part by reducing the amount of products we buy from these corporations.
Moving Forward
We as citizens have the power to create and influence change around the world. Although this issue has not been shared with us in an unbiased and easily comprehensible way, it is still out there. Actually, it is in restaurants, in your home, in all grocery stores, etc. We are all so close to the problem, we interact with it on a very regular basis. Let’s get the word out; tell your family and friends, let’s make sure people understand what’s really going on in these factory farms.
Credits:
Almiron, Núria, et al. Critical Animal and Media Studies: Communication for Nonhuman Animal Advocacy. Routledge, Taylor Et Francis Group, 2016.
Cassuto, David N. “Bred Meat: The Cultural Foundation of the Factory Farm.” Law and Contemporary Problems, vol. 70, no. 1, 2007, pp. 59–87. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/27592165. Accessed 10 Dec. 2020.
Scudder, Joseph N., and Carol Bishop Mills. “The Credibility of Shock Advocacy: Animal Rights Attack Messages.” Public Relations Review, JAI, 11 Nov. 2008, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0363811108001239?casa_token=Kcch-fY8IJsAAAAA%3AKAieklvnpzNbvLf6AzS6faTWuRCKc5q0m-pWdegUmEt1vwOqyJbUV2DHQfBEVWbLO8Sj4pCNzqI.