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  • Swine Flu. The Price of intensive agriculture?

    30-Apr-09 08:31 | anonymous

    Thursday, April 30, 2009

    As the number of people infected with Swine Flu grows, the search for the source of this outbreak continues.

    Mexico, believed to be 'ground zero' for this new strain of swine flu, is home to many large scale, confined pig operations. These 'barns' can house 500,000 pigs in conditions that can only be described as conducive to the development of disease. As agriculture intensifies, so does the risk to human, animal and environmental health.

    What is a confined pig operation? In Australia we call it intensive pig production or factory farms. This method of pork production confines pigs indoors in cramped conditions devoid of sunlight or natural stimulation. They live on top of their own excrement, sheds are poorly ventilated, they are systematically treated with antibiotics that can result in compromised immune systems, artificial lighting, artificial breeding, artificial growth enhancers, all in an environment that would allow the rapid development of viruses such as the new flu strain.

    The housing of pigs in these confinement systems should not be viewed in isolation however. The waste produced from these units is staggering and has been a major cause of concern to people residing near these farms for some time. This article printed in Rolling Stone Magazine, provides a confronting insight into the problem.

    Are you supporting this type of pork production system?

    95% of pigs grown for pork in Australia are produced under confined conditions. You can make a clear statement to industry about your concerns by changing your buying habits. Support free range and organic growers, demand that your butcher stocks nothing less. Humane Choice is the benchmark for sustainably grown, healthy, wholesome pork and is your guarantee that the pigs accredited under this label were grown under natural conditions, not confined to sheds, farrowing crates or sow stalls.
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