The Terrible True Cost of Milk, Cheese, Butter, and Ice Cream
Public attitudes toward the treatment of farmed animals are changing, with nearly half of Americans supporting a ban on factory farming. Lawmakers, such as Senators Cory Booker and Elizabeth Warren, are taking action to address the issue. The Farm System Reform Act aims to ban large-scale factory farming in the U.S. Shifting public sentiment is also reflected in the increasing demand for plant-based milk, causing a decline in licensed dairy operations.
Despite these positive developments, the food system remains broken and inhumane. Millions of animals are raised on factory farms and killed in slaughterhouses each year. Dairy cows, in particular, are highly sentient beings with individual personalities, but they are co
nfined and mistreated in the current system. They are treated as mere objects for profit, while their natural behaviors and social interactions are denied.
Dairy cows in factory farms endure unimaginable cruelty every day. Undercover investigations have documented shocking abuse dairy factory farm. In one investigation, hidden cameras captured scenes of cows being violently mistreated, sick cows producing contaminated milk, calves neglected and covered in flies, and a lack of veterinary care for sick cows. This cruelty is driven by profit, with cows treated as mere milk-producing machines. The investigation led to a lawsuit against the farm for violating animal cruelty laws.
It’s important to recognize that dairy cows are also mothers, forcibly impregnated to maintain a continuous cycle of pregnancy and lactation. The separation of mother cows from their calves causes immense distress and suffering. The factory farming industry often hides these atrocities through anti-whistleblower legislation.
Undercover work by animal activists sheds light on the horrors faced by dairy cows, and her experiences have left a lasting impact. It is crucial to continue raising awareness, demanding change, and supporting alternatives to the dairy industry that prioritize compassion and ethical treatment of animals.
🔭 This summary was human-edited with AI-assist.
