Intensive farming. Not just an ethical problem

Intensive farming exposes animals to many infections

In intensive farms, animals are exposed to extremely stressful conditions that make them vulnerable to infections. Bacteria and viruses spread rapidly in these unsanitary conditions, putting at risk not only the health of the animals but also that of the staff who work in these facilities.
There have been cases of avian influenza transmitted from animals to humans on farms of this type: it is a virus with a high mortality rate. Fortunately, the virus has not mutated to be transmitted between humans.

Antibiotics can end up in meat in uncontrolled situations

Since the animals live in extremely cramped spaces and are at high risk of infections, dangerous both to themselves and to the farmers, the animals reared are often given antibiotics to prevent disease. These antibiotics can then end up, especially in uncontrolled situations, in the meat we eat, increasing the risk of bacterial resistance in humans: a considerable problem for human health in our times.

Animals in extreme and unacceptable conditions

Animals are confined in cramped, overcrowded spaces, often have little or no access to fresh air or sunlight, are completely deprived of their natural behaviours and are treated like production machines.
These stressful conditions are not just an ethical problem, as many still think, but directly affect the animals’ health, causing disease, infection, suffering and premature death. All situations that are potentially very dangerous for humans too.