Factory Farms in the News

The latest news media coverage of factory-farm related issues:

Current Issue: Swine Flu

As described throughout this website, factory farms have a wide range of harmful impacts on human health, surrounding communities, the natural environment and animal welfare. While scientists have not yet determined whether or not the current outbreak of swine flu can be directly attributed to factory farms, they’ve known for years that industrial livestock production creates favorable conditions for the development of new flu viruses that can be spread to humans – reducing the risk of future epidemics is just one of many good reasons to abandon the factory farm model of livestock production.

Learn More:

Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production. 2008. “Occupational and Community Public Health Impacts of Industrial Farm Animal Production“ (see p. 13: “Generation of novel viruses”)

Swine Flu in the News:

Factory hog farms breed infectious viruses

Swine flu scare puts spotlight on factory farms

Pork industry is blurring the science of swine flu

Organic Consumers Association & Via Organica Demand Factory Farms Spreading Deadly Swine Flu be Shut Down

Does corporate hog farming breed swine flu?

Mexican Lawmaker: Factory Farms Are “Breeding Grounds” of Swine Flu Pandemic

Swine Flu Outbreak – - Nature Biting Back at Industrial Animal Production?

Other News About Factory Farms:

Manure Spill in Western Iowa

April 3, 2009. Factory farms generate tremendous quantities of manure, which operators typically store in huge, open pits called manure lagoons. In addition to perpetually releasing hazardous air pollutants, lagoons are prone to leaks, overflow, and structural failure (breakage of walls, pipes, pumps, etc.), which pollutes soil, groundwater, and surface water. In this article, the Associated Press reports that a factory farm spilled approximately 2,000 gallons of manure into a nearby creek after a pipe ruptured while manure pits were being emptied. Read more.

New Film about Factory Farming to Premier on HBO

On March 16, 2009 HBO first aired “Death on a Factory Farm,” a new documentary about the dark side of U.S. livestock production. The film focuses on animal cruelty in factory farming, depicting the investigation of alleged abuses at a hog farm in Creston, Ohio. Learn more about the film and view a preview on HBO’s website.