Animal Equality’s Investigation Into Mexico’s Factory Farms Shows Environmental Nightmare
Animal Equality in Mexico has released a new report with alarming figures on the impact that animal farming has on the environment. The report follows the 2020 release of the short documentary, Enemy of the Planet, which was produced using drones that flew over two industrial pig farms in Jalisco, Mexico, and showed visible ecological damage due to the farms’ operation.
THE BACKGROUND: The new report is the result of an extensive investigation taking place over two years into numerous farms in Jalisco, a state that produces most of Mexico’s animal products, ranking first in the production of meat from pigs, eggs, and milk, and second in meat production from cows and chickens.
WHAT WE FOUND: Reports created from our findings show that the farms—most from large brands in Mexico including Bachoco, Proan, and Gena—do not comply with Mexico’s environmental regulations, do not have environmental permits and registrations, and are in violation of the country’s State Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection. Our drone footage of the farms revealed many significant environmental issues, including:
High levels of greenhouse gas emissions from ponds filled with animal excrement
Wastewater spills that cause large-scale eutrophication (contamination by excess nutrients) in surface and groundwater, the surrounding soil, and important large bodies of water, like Lake Chapala
Toxic odors due to the decomposition of organic matter and poor management of infectious biological waste
DEADLY AND DESTRUCTIVE IMPACT: These violations impact the native flora and fauna, neighboring crops and homes, and the health of the animals raised on the farms. According to our report, one of the most affected environmental components is water. Several lagoons containing excrement and other wastes were observed on the farms, as well as excessive water run-off due to rainfall which causes untreated sewage to seep into the ecosystem. These contaminants permeate the water tables and soil, creating a high density of bacteria that infects whoever consumes the food irrigated with these waters.
When the contaminated water evaporates, it pushes bacteria into the air that then spreads great distances in a very short period of time, causing diseases such as cholera, typhus, dysentery, gastroenteritis, hepatitis, polio, amoebic dysentery, and schistosomiasis.
WHAT WE’RE DOING: Faced with this overwhelming and alarming evidence, Animal Equality reported 44 farms to the authorities for acts and omissions that are causing ecological imbalances and damage to the environment. We are requesting, in accordance with local laws and regulations, the definitive closure of these farms, as well as the revocation of their permits, licenses, and operating authorizations. We are also asking these farms to repair the environmental damage that they have produced.
WHAT WE’RE SAYING: “Given such overwhelming evidence, it’s alarming that these farms continue to have permits to operate. We demand that the authorities take concrete actions to shut these farms down, as well as require them to repair the extensive damage they have caused,” says Dulce Ramírez, Executive Director of Animal Equality Mexico.
YOU CAN HELP: Climate change, habitat loss, deforestation, air, soil, and water pollution, and pandemic diseases all have one thing in common: Factory farming. In addition to profiting from the suffering of animals, industrial animal agriculture also impacts our planet and human safety. It is up to us to create change! In addition to sharing out our reports and investigations, the best thing that you can do is to stop eating animal products. By living more compassionately, you not only are sparing animals from cruel and abusive practices, but you’re also helping to save our planet and your health. With your conscious choices, you will make a difference for all of us!
Visit https://loveveg.com to learn more about going plant-based.
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Transcript (English — en)
animal agriculture has killed millions
of animals
but human health at risk deforested
millions of acres of land and is the
main cause of global warming
as our investigations have routinely
shown
animal farming is truly the enemy of the
planet
[Music]
the world today is going through a
crisis unprecedented in human history
climate change habitat destruction
pollution and pandemic disease are just
some of the effects of this crisis
all occurring at the same time and with
one thing in common
animal farming
to get a more comprehensive look into
the dangers of animal agriculture
animal equality used drones to fly over
and investigate
the operations of several animal and
dairy farms in jalisco mexico
jalisco produces most of mexico's animal
products
ranking number one in the production of
meat from pigs eggs and milk
and number two in meat production from
cows and chickens
in 2021 animal equality released an
environmental impact report generated
from these investigations
which detailed serious irregularities in
the operations of these
production facilities the companies
investigated were found not to have
environmental management
waste management or licenses to operate
a
these are open waste ponds that contain
tons of excrement and urine from the
farm's animals
given the company's lack of fundamental
environmental practices
this pollution and bacteria will end up
contaminating the surrounding land and
water while also contributing to
greenhouse gas emissions
and endangering human health
what was documented in jalisco is just a
small example of the serious
consequences and enormous damage
industrial livestock farming causes
ultimately
animal farming is causing humanity's
greatest threat
climate change
the industry has transformed our planet
into one
giant meat and dairy factory with farmed
animals occupying
60 of the earth's habitable land
a recent report from the united nations
says that 14.5 percent of worldwide
greenhouse gas emissions come from
animal farming
which is a higher percentage than the
entire transportation
industry combined and with more than
half of all global acreage
occupied by farmed animals raising and
feeding them
creates tremendous problems our planet
uses almost
80 percent of its available agriculture
land to grow the grains that will feed
farmed animals
instead of using these resources to feed
people
directly this need for land causes many
issues including water table
depreciation
deforestation and ecosystem destruction
all of which contribute to devastating
changes in the earth's climate
in jalisco the impact of these farms on
the area's
air soil and water indispensable
resources for all life
is more than evident unfortunately these
blatant irregularities have been ignored
by local authorities
after the results of the environmental
impact report were released
animal equality filed more than 40
environmental complaints against these
farms
and asked for their closure as of today
these farms are still in operation and
have not been inspected by regulators in
response to our complaints
animal equality's previous
investigations have shown the horrors of
industrial animal agriculture where
farmed animals live in cruel conditions
full of violence and abuse
add with that the industry's
environmental pollution
and role in the spread of pandemic
disease
animal farming is the greatest enemy of
the planet
its animals and our collective future
[Music]
industrial