I have another session review for you from State of the Plate DC. I attended the conference last week and wrote two previous recaps summarizing the event and about the event's first speaker, Robert Kenner.
The second session of the day was a panel that included Dr.'s, scientists and smarties alike. These people knew what they were talking about. I tried my best to keep up and really absorb what they were saying. This post is pretty short and sweet, but I wanted to tell you guys the main points I got from this particular seminar. The title of the seminar was about the unintended consequences of industrial farming.
By this point we know that industrial farming sucks, right? Well there are three incredible reasons as to why it's so bad and if anyone ever contests you, throw these at them:
- Industrial farming is harmful to our health. Think genetic engineering, antibiotics and growth hormones.
- Industrial farming is causing "economic detriment". This goes back to what I said before, saving money now doesn't necessarily mean you are saving any money at all. You'll be paying that money back in the years to come with health care costs. And, of course, it's driving small farms out of business.
- Industrial farming is harmful to animals. Overcrowding, unsanitary living conditions, unnatural diets, etc.
The main points that I wanted to talk about involve the antibiotics that we are using with animals. If these facts don't hit home, I'm not sure what else will...
70% of our country's antibiotics are sold to animal farming.
80% of all antibiotics are for non-therapeutic use. (Meaning preventative rather than working to heal a problem that already exists.
In Britain farmers need a prescription for antibiotics. That is not the case here.
While the antibiotics might be helpful to getting rid of harmful bacteria caused by the animal's living conditions, they are still not being used properly. The antibiotics are distributed in the animals' food and water, therefore each animal is not getting an even dose. The sick and weak animals probably cannot make it to their food and water, leaving them without the proper dose of antibiotics that they need. The animals that are healthy and can get to food and water are then building a resistance to the antibiotics.
For me, it's pretty exhausting to think about all of that - considering it's completely necessary. Before industrial farming there was never a need for a constant use of antibiotics. They were used when they were needed.
I'd love to hear what you guys know about antibiotics. The scientific aspect of things kind of makes my head spin, but I try really hard to understand because it's really important.
Bare with me, I've got a few more posts for you...I hope you are liking them so far.
