Very few animals roam freely on traditional farms anymore. Most animals that are made for human consumption suffer in large industrial facilities known as factory farms. On factory farms animals are kept in a state of permanent confinement, crammed together in cages or sheds for the entire duration of their short lives. The purpose of intensive farming is simply to produce the most meat, eggs and dairy at the lowest possible cost but this puts a risk to the animals health and wellbeing. Over the past fifty years, meat consumption has increased while the number of meat producers has significantly reduced. This means that most animal farming no longer happens on small family farms but in the the industrial facilities. Australians eat ten times more chicken than we did in 1960, but the number of chicken farms in Australia has dropped and over 70% of the market is now supplied by just two corporations. Similarly, over the last 40 years pig meat production has increased by over 50% while the number of pig producers has dropped from 40,0008 to just 1,868. Most animals in factory farms will never see the sun, feel the earth under their feet, nurture their young, build a nest, roost, forage for food or socialise. Instead they are permanently confined in cages or packed together in such large numbers they struggle to find space to move or reach their food.
You can take action against factory farming by: Learning more – Find out more about the factory farming of pigs, meat chickens and battery hens and ducks. Making humane choices – Make the switch to animal-free alternatives. Contacting your MP – Tell your MP that you support a ban on factory farming practices in your state. Donating to Voiceless – Help us continue to provide a voice for animals by donating today.