A majority of Americans believe factory farming puts profits over the welfare of animals, people, and the planet, according to a recent poll released by Compassion in World Farming – USA (CIWF).
The survey by YouGov targeted both an American and an international audience, asking key questions about factory farming to 14,552 people in Brazil, Czechia, Egypt, France, India, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
The data showed that 67 percent of Americans polled agreed that factory farming puts profits ahead of animal welfare, while 59 percent of Americans polled believed large-scale livestock farms favor profit-making over the health of people who eat animal products.
While about 60 percent of Americans said they believe factory farming puts profit before the climate and the environment, the poll revealed that more than half of American adults surveyed — or 55 percent — weren’t aware that the livestock industry emits more greenhouse gas than all of the world’s planes, trains and cars put together.
“Not only is [factory farming] the single biggest cause of animal cruelty on the planet and a major driver of wildlife declines, but without ending it we simply cannot tackle the growing climate emergency,” CIWF – U.S. Executive Director Ben Williamson said in a statement. “Our research shows that the American public aren’t convinced by industry propaganda that factory farming is ‘necessary to feed the world.'”
International sentiments about factory farming mirrored the American results:
- 69 percent of all respondents agreed livestock corporations prioritize profits above animal welfare.
- 62 percent believed factory farms are more concerned with profits than the health of people.
- 63 percent agreed factory farms favor profit-making over the planet’s climate and the environment.
- 51 percent were aware that the livestock industry produces more greenhouse gas emissions than the transportation sector.
CIWF’s End of the Line campaign aims to help end factory farming and transition society to a sustainable food system beneficial to animals, humans and the Earth.
“This must include managing the unsustainable consumption of meat, poultry, fish and dairy, especially in high consuming populations,” Williamson said. “It’s either the End of the Line for Factory Farming, or for us.”
Lady Freethinker encourages everyone to choose affordable and delicious plant-based foods to help stop cruel factory farming and curb the climate crisis.
