Factory farming is a disaster for animals – but it also threatens human health and the environment. Right now, billions of animals are confined in overcrowded, filthy sheds where diseases mutate and spread easily.
Over 60 per centof infectious diseases in people come from animals, with factory farming and the wildlife trade driving this risk. Outbreaks such as Covid-19, SARS and MERS are clear warnings of what happens when we exploit animals and nature. Factory farming is also driving antibiotic resistant superbugs.
In addition to all this, factory farming is also driving the climate crisis. Meat and dairy production contribute 60 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions from food production but provide just 18 per cent of calories and 37 per cent of protein. Experts say avoiding meat and dairy is the most effective way to reduce our environmental impact.
We cannot afford to ignore these warnings. It’s time to rethink our food system – for our health, for the planet and for animals.
Add your name to tell the UK Government to act now:
- Support and encourage plant-based food initiatives to transition our food system and eradicate our reliance on unsustainable animal agriculture
- End factory farming by addressing the unequivocal links between the intensification of animal agriculture, global pandemics and the climate emergency
