Modern Farm Animal Housing Reduces Disease Risks
ARLINGTON, VA – The Animal Agriculture Alliance is extremely dismayed, but not surprised, to learn that a number of groups have attempted to use the recent outbreak of H1N1 influenza to advance their anti-modern agriculture and animal rights agendas.
Particular criticism has been directed at modern livestock systems, despite the disease not yet having been found in an animal. The vast majority of America’s farm animals are kept in barns and similar housing to protect their health and welfare. Modern housing protects animals from predators, disease, and bad weather or extreme climate. It is also well ventilated, well-lit, clean, and scientifically-designed to meet an animal’s specific needs— including temperature, light, water and food.
Modern housing is designed to allow the farmer to provide the best animal care possible. Modern designs drastically reduce introduction of disease vectors and are easy to clean, reducing opportunities for diseases to spread.
“Because modern livestock facilities are designed to meet animals’ specific needs, these facilities are better for controlling and reducing diseases than allowing animals to have uncontrolled interactions with wild animals and other potential disease vectors,” says Kay Johnson Smith, Executive Vice President for the Animal Agriculture Alliance. “Attempting to connect modern farming and ranching to the current flu outbreak is a huge stretch and is completely irresponsible.”
About the Alliance:
The Animal Agriculture Alliance is an industry-united, nonprofit organization that helps bridge the communication gap between farm and fork. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation. Find the Alliance on Facebook and Twitter.
Category: Press Releases
Tag: Housing,