What specific things would you change about the factory farming system?

what are some changes that could be made to make the slaughter and raising of animals more humane. What are some laws that could be made?

plz not unreasonable answers. We have to start somewhere, preferably something that is actually possible in the near future or that actually has a chance of happening. I am writing a persuasive essay.

Something that most non-vegetarian people would support.

Obviously I think it should just be completely done away with, blah blah blah.

But as for a starting point that non-vegetarians might be willing to support... The animals on farms should be protected by the same laws that domestic animals are protected by. Therefore, if they aren't given room to move, or are beaten, or inhumanely killed, or tortured in any way, or injected with anything not regulated and approved by a veterinarian, etc... then the individual workers as well as the company as a whole should be charged with animal abuse.

It makes perfect sense. They're animals, just like dogs and cats.

Of course, the laws for domestic animals are seldom enforced, and when they are, the punishment is minor. But a factory farm would be held accountable for the cruelty/abuse towards hundreds (and even thousands) of animals... which would have a very stiff penalty.

Likewise, if they're convicted of animal abuse (even 1 account), then they should be put on probation and, if it happens again, shut down.

This way they can still raise animals, milk cows, gather chicken eggs, etc... but ANY violence (sans the eventual slaughter, which should be done humanely in some form that doesn't then poison the meat) would bring a charge of animal cruelty/abuse.

In California, we recently had a petition that would phase out egg-laying cages, pig gestation crates, and veal crates. It's a small start but I think that's a good one. Note: most European countries have already outlawed these practices.

Why is America so behind?

you probably arent going to like my answer but here it is

i would eliminate the factory farming system.

=]

Actually I think just making things more transparent to the consumer would help. Meat should come with a sticker for EACH and EVERY antibiotic used on that animal. And another sticker disclosing the use of hormones.

Ditto on milk, cheese, and eggs. Disclose to the consumer on every single package - if the reminders were constant and in-your-face to the average consumer, they would raise Cain and lobby for change.

Also, label on the meat that it was raised in confinement. If those pork came from a farmers that uses cages - don't ban the cages, just force disclosure on every single package of pork.

I am not totally vegetarian, but once I learned about factory farming, we buy WAY less meat. Also, I switched to soymilk and we only buy cage free eggs now. And the eggs are pretty much for the kids - I don't eat them anymore just plain. I am much more open to vegan options than I ever expected I would be. And I am a pretty conservative, older republican suburban mom. So if disclosure and education could convince ME, they can convince anyone.

Also, crack down on livestock operations that depend on illegal immigrants for cheap labor. Animals aren't the only ones being exploited here. Start punishing operators that hire illegals. Fine heavily and they'll stop doing it.

Force companies to disclose to consumers exactly what they are buying (meat, milk, cheese and eggs laced with chemicals) and consumers might stop buying.

JMO

Not have any animals there!

Seriously, I would allow the general public to be able to see the slaughter house. Many of the crimes happen because no one is able to see them. The USDA, has too few inspectors and they do a poor job. - example if the inspectors were doing their jobs, why was Hallmark not shiut down before the HSUS investigation?

If people are wanting to eat animals, surely they should be able to see them! right! Don't just consume cruelty, see what actually happens!

Many people do not think about the animal, they think their meat is a little plastic covered packaged item from the food store.

Plus, if people were allowed to see the animals, than there would be less abuse. Hence less sick animals in the food chain!

Don't just consume cruelty, see it first, and than tell me if you still want to eat that cow burger!

I would restrict the use of drugs, antibiotics, pesticides and herbicides. These chemicals are bio-accumulative and increase in concentration the higher up the food chain we consume. So for example 1pd of beef will have more toxic chemicals than 1pd of veggies. The over use of these antibiotics has lead to antibiotic resistant and virulent disease strains. Many people consume too much antibiotics through their food. The reason these chemicals are used so extensively is because animals are in such close confinement. The only way for intensive farmers to keep their animals alive long enough to be slaughtered is if they pump them for of drugs. In normal conditions the animals wouldn't be as sick so frequently. I believe decreasing the use of these chemicals would force farmers to provide increased space for raising animals. This is positive for the animals well fare, for human health and for agricultural workers who are forced to handle these chemicals.

I would also completely ban the use of BGH - bovine growth hormones that are used to increase milk production.

I think this is only the tip of the ice berg and there are a lot more improvements required. But I guess it's a good place to start. And I'm sure no omnivores would be opposed to using less chemicals on their food.

[edit]: if your writing a persuasive essay I would suggest reading or at least flicking through Peter Singer's The Ethics of What We Eat or read Animal Factories. They were both real eye openers for me. I love Peter Singer, he's a great ethicist. There are some really good environmental and legal journals avialable online or through libraries too.

good luck with your essay.

Making general public think about and aware of how the meat gets to their plates will help. When more people realise what an animal is put through, I think they will demand change.
If consumers are not happy, the system will have to change.