The India Animal Fund and philanthropic organisation Dasra launched a report titled ‘Our shared future: Securing animal welfare, human wellbeing, and sustainability in India’ on Tuesday. The report emphasises animal welfare’s pivotal role in India’s socio-economic and ecological frameworks and reveals how intensive animal agriculture or factory farming fuels antibiotic resistance, zoonotic diseases and environmental degradation.
The report underscores the critical necessity for enhancing animal welfare standards to protect both public health and the environment. Let’s explore further to grasp how current animal welfare practices impact public health and the environment.
But first, what’s factory farming?
Factory farming, also known as industrial agriculture or intensive animal farming, refers to a system of raising livestock and poultry in high-density facilities where animals are confined indoors under controlled conditions. The primary goal of factory farming is to maximize production efficiency and output of meat, eggs, and dairy products at a lower cost.
Antibiotic resistance: A looming crisis
One of the most significant public health threats arising from intensive animal farming is the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In developing countries, where regulatory frameworks are often less stringent, the overuse of antibiotics in animal feed is rampant. For instance, a study conducted in India in 2017 found that over 53% of egg samples exhibited resistance to multiple antibiotics, some of which are critically important for human medicine according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
India, as the world’s fourth-largest user of antimicrobials in animal feed, is projected to see the largest relative increase in antimicrobial consumption in livestock by 2030. This trend poses a grave risk, with estimates suggesting that by 2050, drug-resistant diseases could cause up to 10 million deaths annually and have an economic impact comparable to the 2008-2009 global financial crisis if left unaddressed.
Zoonotic diseases and pandemic risk
Intensive animal agriculture is also a breeding ground for zoonotic diseases, which are illnesses that can be transmitted from animals to humans. The United Nations report titled “Preventing the Next Pandemic” identifies the increasing demand for animal protein as a key driver of pandemics. Approximately 60% of known infectious diseases and up to 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic in origin. Each year, zoonoses are responsible for 2.5 billion cases of human illness and 2.7 million human deaths worldwide.
The industrialisation of animal production has led to higher livestock densities and genetically similar breeds that are more susceptible to disease. This environment facilitates the spillover of pathogens from animals to humans, significantly increasing the risk of outbreaks.
Environmental degradation and climate change
The environmental footprint of animal agriculture is immense. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that industrialized animal agriculture alone is responsible for 14.5% to 16.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE). This sector contributes 60% of GHGE from global food production, which accounts for 35% of all GHGE. Factors such as flock size, animal weight, diet, manure management, and topography influence these emissions, with larger operations generally having a greater environmental impact.
Moreover, a study on battery-caged poultry farms in India revealed high levels of nitrates, sulfates, and total dissolved solids (TDS) in groundwater, posing significant health risks such as cancer, adverse pregnancies, and methemoglobinemia in children due to prolonged nitrate exposure.
Nutritional and mental health implications
The health implications of consuming animal products extend beyond infectious diseases. Diets high in animal products have been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and other disorders. In contrast, individuals who derive most of their nutrition from plant-based sources often experience better health outcomes.
The psychological impact of animal cruelty, particularly on children, is another critical concern. Exposure to animal abuse can lead to trauma, resulting in antisocial behaviors, depression, and anxiety.
