Running head: FACTORY FARMING

Factory Farming: The Farmer in the Cell

Lisa Mullins
First Colonial High School
Legal Studies Academy

Abstract
This paper examines what happens in factory farm industries in the U.S. Factory farm animals

are exposed to cruelty since the day they are brought or born into factory farms. The cruelty of

these animals are not being brought to justice or is regulated due to the lack of enforcement,

laws, and legislation. Factory farming is also one of the leading causes of environmental issues

which could be resolved with regulations. This paper proves and goes into detail about factory

farms and the vague and poor legislations in place. There are also solutions and ideas to protect

and better animal welfare and the environment.

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Factory Farming: The Farmer in The Cell

Factory farming is a large industrial business that raises a large number of farm animals

for human consumption. 99% of animal products and farmed animals are born and raised in these

factory farms in the U.S. The focus of these factory farms is not animal welfare, but the

efficiency and profit from the animals ("Farm Animal Welfare," n.d.). Factory farm animals are

exposed to cruelty each day until slaughtered and justice needs to be given. These animals have

basic rights and is not subjected for humans to unnecessarily abuse. The factory farming industry

harms the environment and threatens the welfare of animals by allowing workers to cruelly treat

animals due to the lack of federal laws and regulations.

What Factory Farming Affects
Animal Welfare
The current U.S agriculture has no authority to enforce regulations on the welfare of

animals. Meaning there isnt a strong enforcement or legislation on animal welfare. The only

justification we have for cruelty and death towards 95 billion farm animals annually is that we

enjoy consuming their products. Animals are being cruelly treated in factory farms and workers

who imposes this on animals have little to no significant penalties on them (Sunstein &

Nussbaum, 2004).
Many farmed animals in major factory farms are kept in confined spaces called gestation

crates, exposed to physical abuse, mutilation by workers without painkillers, and drugging and

feeding these animals to increase the proportion of each animal and the population. Physical

abuse includes kicking, beating, slamming, hitting, dragging, and etc. Piglets and veals would be

taken from the mother soon after birth to be killed or placed elsewhere. Mutilations include de-

beaking, cutting of tail, or genitals without care or proper painkillers. De-beaking is due to the
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overcrowding of chickens which causes them to become aggressive and sometimes eat each

other. Pigs tails are cut off because they are confined in small spaces next to other pigs leading

them to bite on each others tails. This further demonstrates the need for laws and restrictions for

the protection of farmed animals in factory farms ("Farm Animal Welfare," n.d.).
Factory farm animals are treated cruelly, different animals include broiler chicken, layer

hens, pigs, veal, dairy cows, and beef. Broiler chickens are raised for their meat alone and is kept

until they reached the weight wanted. These animals receive hormones, and genetic alterations to

become bigger, many times these chickens cant keep up or hold their body weight growth

causing issues. Broiler chickens are held in dark overcrowded rooms to avoid conflict with each

other. Layer hens are specifically used for their eggs and kept in confined slanted cages, chickens

that are born male in these factories are simply killed or suffocated in trash cans. Pigs are

confined in gestation crates and often develop diseases from constantly breathing in bacteria

from waste. Veal is a young cow taken from their mother whose muscles have not become fully

developed. To make the veal tender as possible the animal is placed in a tiny crate so that they

cannot move. Doing so will prevent muscles from developing so that it is tender. Veals live 4-5

months in crates until slaughtered. Dairy cows produce milk and baby cows, these cows are

constantly kept pregnant. Beef cattle are raised to become beef, they are knocked unconscious

then hung upside for slaughter once made to the desired proportion. These animals should be

treated with care, factory farms strip these animals from everything and is treated cruelly

("Factory Farming Facts So You Can Make Your Own Decisions | Earth's Friends," 2014).
Environment

Animal waste releases gases such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide which pollutes the air and

water quality. Factory farm workers and nearby residents are exposed to these gases which has

an impact on their health. Inhaling these particles and gases causes respiratory issues and other
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illnesses. More than 51% of global greenhouse gas emissions are due to animal agriculture,

making it one of the top causes for pollution ("Meat and the Environment," n.d.).
Based on the Environmental Protection Agency, chicken, cattle, and hog waste has

polluted over 35,000 miles of rivers in 22 states and contaminated the groundwater in 17 states .

With this information regulations need to be formed in order to prevent further pollution and

contamination of water. Currently the U.S Agriculture has no authority to enforce regulations

which needs to be changed ("Disturbing Facts on Factory Farming & Food Safety," n.d.).
An eight acre pig land waste in North Carolina from a factory farm ruptured and spilled

25 million gallons of waste into the New River. The waste polluted the water killing over 10

million fish. Animal agriculture, specifically dairy operations, are the largest source of nitrate

pollution in the air. Even though factory farms is a leading problem for climate change, the

Environmental protection Agency also doesnt have authority to regulate the U.S livestock

industry ("Pollution (Water, Air, Chemicals)," n.d.).

Factory Farm Workers
Most factory farm employers are illegal migrants from Latin America and Mexico. The

percentage of these workers are unknown since it is not documented. Employers allow them to

work there since they are less likely to complain about low wages and hazardous working

conditions. Workers face health issues due to being surrounded by animal waste. The workers

face little to no punishment if they are caught cruelly treating animals and workers are never

brought to trial for cruelty. Regulations and harsher punishments should be made for workers to

follow to ensure and enforce the welfare of animals ("Factory Farm Workers," n.d.).
History of Factory Farming
Factory farms developed when the expanding and growing America demanded for more

eggs and meat. Farmers progressively held more and more farmed animals and contained them in

building when it was found that vitamins and antibiotics could be given so that the animals didnt

need to be outside to grow. The first factory farm started with chickens in 1962, soon after pigs
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and cows followed the same concept. Machines and facilities were created to hold mass numbers

of animals. More drugs and hormones were made and fed to the animals when diseases

developed due to the close confinement of many animals. Drugs were also used to increase the

number of animals and the size of each (Panaman, 2008).

Once factory farms developed other farms declined and started going out of business in

2000. In 1970 there was approximately 900,000 farms in the U.S, by 1997 there was only

139,000 farms. Factory farms account for 99.9% of chickens, 99% of turkeys, 95% pigs, and

78% of cattle of all farmed animals raised and slaughtered in the U.S. Farms started driving out

of business in 2000, large industrial factory farm account for 99.9% of chickens, 99% for

turkeys, 95% for pigs, and 78% of cattle of all farmed animals raised and slaughtered in the U.S.

Factory farms is a major business that concentrates on efficiency to gain more profit which

causes farmers to lose their job ("Evolution of Factory Farming," n.d.).

Factory Farm Investigations
Tyson Pig Food Supply
The Tyson pig food supply in the state of Wyoming was investigated in April 2012. The

Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), an organization that advocates for the well-being

of animals, released an undercover video footage from the Wyoming pig breeding facility. The

video displays workers sitting and bouncing on mother pigs while squealing causing some to

break their legs. Pigs were being left untreated with abscesses, severe rectal and uterine prolapses

due to small confinement in gestation crates and abuse. Mummified piglet corpses were found in

the factory farm, video has footage of workers slamming piglets to the ground by holding the

back of their legs soon after birth. Piglets were also found falling into slats into manure pits

drowning in them. The Humane Society of the United States wanted to pursue criminal charges

but was not warranted to do so. Many of these investigations dont face charges or court due to

the workers and the lack and vagueness of regulations and laws placed for factory farmed
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animals. The HSUS raises awareness on this issue and since the video footage received a lot of

attention Tyson said they would terminate the contract with that pig supply farm and workers

("Undercover Investigation Documents Pig Abuse at Tyson Supplier," 2012).

Smithfields Food Inc.
Another undercover investigation was placed at a subsidiary farm of Smithfield Foods

Inc. in Waverly, Virginia in 2010. The undercover video footage displayed a variety of evidence

of animal cruelty. Lame pigs, pigs that have poor welfare and isnt as useful, are shot in the head

with a stun gun then thrown into trash cans while still alive. Pigs had kill sprayed on the back,

are being dragged by the snout, shot at, and thrown in trash. Workers would jab pigs with gate

rods until they moved to the desired spot. Pigs with open sores were left untreated due to

gestation crates. After the video was released Smithfield announce they would become gestation

crate free. However the investigation was not brought to court and criminal charges were not

pressed. These investigation show that there needs to be a more effective laws and regulations in

place for the protection of animal cruelty and so that workers can be charged for animal cruelty

("HSUS Exposes Inhumane Treatment of Pigs at Smithfield," 2010).

Chilliwack Cattle Sales Vancouver, Canada
Canada has a strong enforcement of laws for factory farms, their main act being the BC

Prevention of Animal Cruelty Act. This act goes into detail describing how animals should be

treated and handled in factory farms or any agriculture area and is strongly enforced. The Mercy

For Animals advocate group help an investigation at the Chilliwack Cattle in Vancouver, Canada,

in 2016. The investigation showed workers allegedly inhumanly abusing animal by beating

animals with tools such as chains and rakes. The Mercy For Animals group pressed charges

against the farm and the workers for animal cruelty, this would be the first factory farm that have

been convicted of cruelty. The punishment for not abiding the act is fineable for $75,000 per

count, and removing workers and the employer from the business. The BC agriculture of Canada
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proposed to revise the act to include more regulations for dairy factory farms. The U.S should

follow this same act and enforce these laws and allow investigations. Criminalizing workers and

the farm for animal cruelty is a step in the right direction for animals to be raised and treated

humanely ("Chilliwack Cattle Sales,"2016).

Federal Laws and Legislation Currently in Place
There are very few federal laws in place for factory farms, one of which is the Humane

Slaughter Act of 1978. This act requires the proper treatment and handling of all farmed animals,

besides chickens, slaughtered in the USDA slaughter plants. Cows and pigs must be killed

rapidly and effectively before they are cut, thrown, or etc ("Humane Methods of Slaughter Act,"

n.d.). The Human Methods of Slaughter Act is very vague and isnt strongly enforced. The

consequences of the HMSA prohibits the federal government from purchasing animal products

made from factory farms that slaughter or treat animals inhumanely. Inspectors use to enforce

the law with their authority to stop operations in the farm until the animals were slaughtered

humanely. This act is very vague so farmed factories find ways around the act making in

ineffective. This further proves that law need to be placed and defined more into detail to be

more effective. Since factory farms are not open to the public and some states had made it illegal

to investigate farms, it is difficult to ensure acts and laws are being enforced (Hodges, 2012).
The only other federal law is the 28 Hour Law. This requires factory farmed animals

being transported over multiple states that are going to be slaughtered to be unloaded every 28

hours. This is so that these animals can be supplied with water, food, and rest. This law is

ineffective it is difficult to know if this is being followed and extended hours may be given if

warranted. Violation of the law is minor, it is considered a civil penalty for the driver of the

vehicle with a fine of only $100-$500. requires animals being transported across state lines for
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slaughter to be unloaded every 28 hours for rest food and water. Violation of the law is a civil

penalty for the master of the vessel with a fine of only a $100-$500 (Code 49 USC 80502.).
Laws that have Not been Passed
There are many laws that have been proposed to congress but have not been voted on or

passed. The Animal and Public Health Protection Act was introduced on May 5th, 2013. This bill

was to amend the Farm Security and Investment Act of 2002 to allow certain activities in order

to detect, and respond in a time to threats made on animal health on farms. This act would serve

to help better animal welfare, the environment, and the agriculture economy. It would allow

investigations on farms to help animals that are being cruelly treated for help in a timely manner,

and prevent diseases from spreading into the animal products. This act has yet to be voted on or

passes any further (S. S. 859, 2013).

The Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act was introduced on March 1st, 2010, this bill

has not been passed or voted on. This bill promotes animal welfare of factory farmed animals by

only allowing federal agencies and the government to obtain animal food products from certain

animals only from farmed factories that raised the animals free from cruelty and abuse. The

animals must also have been slaughtered humanely. The definition of cruelty and abuse free in

this bill is that the animals during the whole period before getting slaughtered was provided with

adequate space to stand up, lie down, turn freely, and extend all limbs. This act well help the

well-being of animals and give them enough space to prevent injuries and diseases. This act

doesnt necessarily cover how workers treat animals in factory farms but it is a step forward for

the betterment of factory farmed animals. These bills need to be accounted for and acted upon so

that the welfare of animals can be more protected (2010).

Different State Laws
There are few laws that some states share on factory farming which is the Gestation Crate

Law and the Ag-gag Law. The gestation Crate law bans the use of gestation crates in factory
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farms because of the intensive confinement for animals. Gestation Crates are very confined

crates used to hold animals such as pigs. Gestation crates causes skeletal issues since there is

very limited room for the animals to move around in and the animals stay in these crates for most

of their lives until slaughtered. It also develops bacteria and diseases due to manure slat pits

under gestation crates. Many farmed animals form abscesses and severe prolapses from being in

small gestation crates. There are only seven states that imposes this law Florida, California,

Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Massachusetts, and Michigan. Virginia is one of many states that

still allows gestation crates in factory farms. The Smithfield Food Inc. company did claim that

their factory farms will ban gestation crates as well. Gestation crates should be banned

throughout all factory farms since it is inhumane for factory farm animals and adequate space is

needed for animals ("Pigs Subject to Abuse at Virginia Factory Farm," 2010).
The other law that some states enforce is the Ag-gag law. This law silences groups and

individuals from revealing animal abuse on factory farms. This act criminalizes those who are

investigating activities in factory farms. Any undercover video, photos, or working undercover is

considered a crime. Videos or pictures taken on industrial farms relating to animal abuse in

industrial farms is to be handed over immediately and cannot be used. Only seven states enforce

this law, Virginia is not one them. Many groups that advocates for animal welfare such as the

Humane Society of the United States have been raising awareness on this act to get it vetoed and

to strip it away. Some argue that this act is unconstitutional and goes against the first amendment

of free speech. This act should be revoked, the animal agriculture should be focusing on bettering

animal welfare, not hiding it. The people should be able to know what is happening in factory

farms that they buy their products from. Laws and acts should be created to help the issue not

keep it away from the public ("What Is Ag-Gag Legislation?," n.d.).

Virginia Statutes on Factory Farming
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Virginia has some statutes having to do with factory farming, most codes had to do with

protection of the people from diseases by eating animal products. These codes states what to do

with the factory farmed animals if they do get diseases, but very few on the treatment of animals

in factory farms or how to prevent diseases. Virginia code 3.2-6032 makes it unlawful to feed

garbage to swine. The main purpose of this code was to prevent the particles of garbage from

entering into the final animal product. This does help with animal welfare but many factory

farms still give these animals drugs, hormones, and antibiotics to grow bigger. Code of Virginia

3.2-6502 gives authority to veterinarians to inspect premises where any animals are kept.

Investigations may be conducted if warranted. This code would help investigate factory farms to

help injured farmed animals to be taken care of. There should still be more regulations and

authorized investigations in factory farms to control and regulate what is happening to these

animals. Virginia code 3.2-6503.1 mandates that owners of agriculture animals must be fed

enough to prevent from starvation and malnourishment, water must be given to prevent

dehydration of the animals, and veterinary treatment. This code is very vague and not enforced,

so many factory farm animals are fed unhealthy foods that include hormones to fatten up. There

should be a federal law that proposes strict and detailed regulations, consequences, and rules for

factory farms.
Solutions
Engineered Meat
The vitro meat organization held its first international conference in Norway on April

2008. Vitro meat or engineered meat, is man-made meat by using a single stem cell to mature

and divide into a nutrient soup, which would eventually result to billions of the cells fused

together to create the meat. Steaks would not be able to be made because of the makeup of the

tissues in a steak. However, nuggets, minced pork, and cow meat would be possible to make.
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Those who would eat engineered meat get the benefit of not being exposed to antibiotics,

hormones, downer cow tissues, or feces particles from products made from factory farms.

Engineered meat doesnt involve the abuse, slaughtering, cruelty, or mistreatment of billions of

animal farms. It would save millions of farmed animals and factory farms wouldnt need to hold

as much animals. On August 2013 in London, the first engineered meat beef burger patty was

created by Dr. Mark Post. The meat was then cooked by a chef from the Couchs Great House

Restaurant, Richard McGeown, then eaten by food critic Hanni Ruetzler. The patty was said to

have intense flavors, not as tender, but had the same consistency and taste. Engineered meat has

not been commercialized or sold because of the scaling and cost of what the meat would be.

Engineered meat would be a good solution to eventually decrease the number of animals

confined, decrease the number of animals slaughtered annually, and an incentive to treat their

animals with care (Hocquette, 2016).

Vegetarian or Vegan Option
Vegetarian is the removal of any type of animal meat from the diet, veganism is removing

any animal products including dairy and eggs from the diet. Factory farms is a major business

that runs on supply and demands from customers in order to continue and get money. Vegetarians

and vegans that are not buying these products are saving factory farm animal lives. A vegetarian

saves approximately 371-582 animals annually including sea and land animals. The average

human meat eater eats about 7,000 land animals per year, meaning becoming a vegetarian

prevents and saves the lives of many animals. Being a vegetarian sets an example for others to

become vegetarians and raises awareness on the issue at factory farms. Not all vegetarians or

vegans become one due to animal welfare, but those that are raising awareness on what happen

in factory farms. Vegetarians and vegans not only advocate and help with animal welfare, but the

environment as well. Some argue that the vegetarian diet is not healthy and difficult from
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removing the main source of protein and fat from the diet. But most vegetarians are successful

and get the nutrition and protein needed from eating a variety of veggies, fruits, wheat, and nut

("How Many Animals Does a Vegetarian Save?," 2012).

Passing Legislation and Higher Consequences
There are some bills that were introduced to congress but was not voted on or passed

down. These bills would be helpful in helping with animal welfare by protecting factory farmed

animals. The laws already in place such as the Humane Slaughter Act and 28 Hour law has a

very low consequences and workers are never charged for criminal acts for cruelty. If

punishments were harsher and workers were able to be held accountable for cruelty then there

would be a decrease in how cruelly the workers are treating animals. The Environmental

Protection Agency and the U.S Agriculture should have authority to investigate and enforce these

laws. The people buying the products from the factory farms has a right to know what is

happening in the factory, farms. Therefore, the Ag-gag law should be removed because it hides

what is being done in these farms and protects workers to treat the animals these ways (You Are

What Your Food Eats Human Health And Animal Welfare Alike," 2010).
Conclusion
Factory farm animals are not subjected for humans to treat inhumanely for their whole

lives until they are slaughtered. Animals are being drugged with hormones to where their body

cant catch up to it creating issues, they are beaten and mutilated without painkillers, and left

untreated. The Environmental Protection Agency and U.S Agriculture has no authority to enforce

and regulate factory farms. There is only two federal laws that are not strongly enforced and is

vague so many get away with it. The legislations that were introduced should be passed and

voted upon to protect animal welfare and prevent more harm to the environment. Factory farms

is one of the major causes of pollution and needs to have regulation and a better system to

prevent it. Others can help lives of these animals and in the future catch and criminalize cruelty
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acts and better treat the animals. Becoming a vegetarian or vegan saves animal lives and reduces

the supply and demand for meat. Other options include selling engineered meat or other

alternatives so that you still have the meat in the diet but animals are not being slaughtered for it.

References
@. (2014, September 10). Factory Farming Facts So You Can Make Your Own Decisions

| Earth's Friends. Retrieved from http://www.earthsfriends.com/factory-farming-facts/

Animal and Public Health Protection Act, S. S. 859 (2013).
Disturbing Facts on Factory Farming & Food Safety. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.organicconsumers.org/old_articles/Toxic/factoryfarm.php
Evolution of Factory Farming. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.factory-

farming.com/factory_farming.html
Factory Farm Workers. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.foodispower.org/factory-farm-

workers/
Farm Animal Welfare. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.aspca.org/animal-cruelty/farm-

animal-welfare
Full Statute Name: United States Code Annotated. Title 49. Transportation. Subtitle X.

Miscellaneous. Chapter 805. Miscellaneous. (2016, July). Retrieved from

https://www.animallaw.info/statute/us-food-animal-twenty-eight-hour-law
Full Title Name: You Are What Your Food Eats: How Regulation Of Factory Farm

Conditions Could Improve Human Health And Animal Welfare Alike. (2010). Retrieved
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from https://www.animallaw.info/article/you-are-what-your-food-eats-how-regulation-

factory-farm-conditions-could-improve-human
H. (2012, February 6). How many animals does a vegetarian save? Retrieved from

http://www.countinganimals.com/how-many-animals-does-a-vegetarian-save/
Hocquette, J. (2016). Is in vitro meat the solution for the future? Meat Science, 120, 167-

176. doi:10.1016/j.meatsci.2016.04.036
Hodges, C. (2012). Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA). Retrieved from

https://www.animallaw.info/intro/humane-methods-slaughter-act-hmsa
HSUS Exposes Inhumane Treatment of Pigs at Smithfield. (2010, December 15).

Retrieved from

http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2010/12/smithfield_pigs_121510.htm

l
Humane Methods of Slaughter Act. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/humane-methods-slaughter-act
Newton, L. H., & Warner, K. D. (n.d.). Factory Farming. Encyclopedia of Business

Ethics and Society. doi:10.4135/9781412956260.n324

P. (n.d.). Meat and the Environment. Retrieved from http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-

used-for-food/meat-environment/
Panaman, R. (2008, April). Factory Farming and Animal Rights. Retrieved from

http://www.animalethics.org.uk/factory-farming.html
Pigs subject to abuse at Virginia factory farm. (2010, December 16). Retrieved from

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2010/12/pigs-subject-to-abuse-at-virginia-

factory-farm-humane-society-of-the-united-states-says.html
Pollution (Water, Air, Chemicals). (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.foodispower.org/pollution-water-air-chemicals/
Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act (2010).
Sunstein, C. R., & Nussbaum, M. C. (2004). Animal rights: Current debates and new

directions. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

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Undercover Investigation Documents Pig Abuse at Tyson Supplier. (2012, May 8).

Retrieved from

http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2012/05/wyoming_pig_investigation

_050812.html
What Is Ag-Gag Legislation? (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.aspca.org/animal-

cruelty/farm-animal-welfare/what-ag-gag-legislation
Chilliwack Cattle Sales. (2016, December 16). Retrieved from

http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/chilliwack-cattle-sales-pleads-guilty-to-animal-

cruelty-following-mercy-for-animals-investigation-607140516.html
Virginia Code 3.2-6032
Virginia Code 3.2-6502
Virginia code 3.2-6503.1

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