In more recent years the meat continues to have the highest consumption rates per capita. The continued popularity of pigmeat means that food producers have been consistently looking for better, faster and cheaper methods of meeting the demands of major supermarkets, and ultimately, the consumer. The McDonaldisation of a burgeoning consumptive society decrees that farms are now more technological than ever before, taking away both the need to pay additional staff and the room for human error - our food has become mechanised.
Chemicals are added to the food to save money, time and to ensure that the finished product looks aesthetically pleasing. By adding antibiotics and growth hormones to the feed, pigs on the production line grow bigger in a shorter space of time and wont die from the injuries and disease they might sustain living in confined conditions en masse.
In a recent online publication by agriland.ie about pig farms under animal welfare investigation, it was identified that farm animal welfare watchdog Compassion had recently investigated five separate pig farms in Ireland. Dil Peeling, Compassion's director of campaigns alleged "These are the worst pig farms that we have seen in Europe, and the worst conditions that I have seen in years.I am shocked to find pigs kept in such squalor in a modern, first-world country. In some of the farms there was a hospital area that would be laughable if it weren't so devastating: an emaciated pig left to die, dying pigs lying on top of one another. It is a real life hell hole. The levels of neglect on all of the farms points to a systematic failure and the barbarity of the situation points to two options: either the Government doesn't care or it is incompetent. Either of these in inexcusable."
Although the Irish Government have the ultimate duty of care towards establishing the necessary animal-welfare laws in this country, I believe the only way things will change is if the consumer demands it. There is growing change with regards to food reduction with particular focus on fish and poultry in previous years, massively because of the work of food activists like TV chefs like Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall who televised their efforts and distributed the distasteful truth to the paying public. Within a very short space of time free range whole chickens and chicken breasts have become available in most supermarkets for a very affordable cost - it is hoped that this can become the norm across all meat products.
With a small amount of planning and a slight increase in cost it is very possible to buy free-range pork products. Most notably "The Red Pig" company in Kilkenny who raise their own pigs and sell the meat at markets and festivals provide very good quality items which are affordable. In absentia of markets it is always important to speak to your butcher - let them know that the desire and demand for free-range in your locale. At the end of the day business is business and if the consumer is buying something, they want to be selling it.
If you are interested in how corporate attitudes affect the food that you are eating, here are some documentaries that I would recommend:
Food, Inc.
Forks Over Knives
Zeitgeist
Earthlings
Dil
Peeling, Compassion’s director of campaigns, alleged: ”These are the
worst pig farms that we have seen in Europe, and the worst conditions
that I have seen in years. I am shocked to find pigs kept in this
squalor in a modern, first-world country.
“In some of the farms there was a ‘hospital area’ that would be laughable if it weren’t so devastating: an emaciated pig left to die, dying pigs lying on top of one another. It is a real-life hell-hole.
“The levels of neglect on all of the farms points to a systemic failure and the barbarity of this situation points to two options: either the Government doesn’t care or it is incompetent. Either of these is inexcusable.”
- See more at: http://www.agriland.ie/news/pig-farms-under-animal-welfare-investigation/#sthash.53G4yYhh.dpuf
“In some of the farms there was a ‘hospital area’ that would be laughable if it weren’t so devastating: an emaciated pig left to die, dying pigs lying on top of one another. It is a real-life hell-hole.
“The levels of neglect on all of the farms points to a systemic failure and the barbarity of this situation points to two options: either the Government doesn’t care or it is incompetent. Either of these is inexcusable.”
- See more at: http://www.agriland.ie/news/pig-farms-under-animal-welfare-investigation/#sthash.53G4yYhh.dpuf
Dil
Peeling, Compassion’s director of campaigns, alleged: ”These are the
worst pig farms that we have seen in Europe, and the worst conditions
that I have seen in years. I am shocked to find pigs kept in this
squalor in a modern, first-world country.
“In some of the farms there was a ‘hospital area’ that would be laughable if it weren’t so devastating: an emaciated pig left to die, dying pigs lying on top of one another. It is a real-life hell-hole.
“The levels of neglect on all of the farms points to a systemic failure and the barbarity of this situation points to two options: either the Government doesn’t care or it is incompetent. Either of these is inexcusable.”
- See more at: http://www.agriland.ie/news/pig-farms-under-animal-welfare-investigation/#sthash.53G4yYhh.dpuf
“In some of the farms there was a ‘hospital area’ that would be laughable if it weren’t so devastating: an emaciated pig left to die, dying pigs lying on top of one another. It is a real-life hell-hole.
“The levels of neglect on all of the farms points to a systemic failure and the barbarity of this situation points to two options: either the Government doesn’t care or it is incompetent. Either of these is inexcusable.”
- See more at: http://www.agriland.ie/news/pig-farms-under-animal-welfare-investigation/#sthash.53G4yYhh.dpuf
Dil
Peeling, Compassion’s director of campaigns, alleged: ”These are the
worst pig farms that we have seen in Europe, and the worst conditions
that I have seen in years. I am shocked to find pigs kept in this
squalor in a modern, first-world country.
“In some of the farms there was a ‘hospital area’ that would be laughable if it weren’t so devastating: an emaciated pig left to die, dying pigs lying on top of one another. It is a real-life hell-hole.
“The levels of neglect on all of the farms points to a systemic failure and the barbarity of this situation points to two options: either the Government doesn’t care or it is incompetent. Either of these is inexcusable.”
- See more at: http://www.agriland.ie/news/pig-farms-under-animal-welfare-investigation/#sthash.53G4yYhh.dpuf
“In some of the farms there was a ‘hospital area’ that would be laughable if it weren’t so devastating: an emaciated pig left to die, dying pigs lying on top of one another. It is a real-life hell-hole.
“The levels of neglect on all of the farms points to a systemic failure and the barbarity of this situation points to two options: either the Government doesn’t care or it is incompetent. Either of these is inexcusable.”
- See more at: http://www.agriland.ie/news/pig-farms-under-animal-welfare-investigation/#sthash.53G4yYhh.dpuf
