Pigs in factory farming

Shutting Down Factory Farming Will Save EU Energy, say NGOs

A FOUR PAWS statement

22.9.2022

Vienna/Brussels, 22 September 2022 – The European Union (EU) must shut down factory farming to mitigate the impacts from the current energy crisis, says global animal welfare organisation, FOUR PAWS.

FOUR PAWS alongside BirdLife Europe and Central Asia, Compassion in World Farming, and the European Environmental Bureau insist that the EU and its member state governments should not continue to keep industrial animal farming on life support.

The letter sets out how big industrial agriculture lobbies are being highly vocal for more money and secure access to energy. However, in a time of energy insecurity, the EU and Member States should be particularly selective of which public goods to invest in.

“What we are seeing across Europe is an unpreceded energy crisis in modern times, which has affected every family up and down the EU. Governments are putting in place measures to save energy, including shifting pressure on consumers, yet we are yet to see industrial animal farming tackled at any level, which is highly energy intensive.”

Sophie Aylmer, FOUR PAWS, Head of Farm Animals and Nutrition Policy

Aylmer continued by saying, “Industrial animal farming, or factory farming, exploits animals mercilessly, as well as being an immense waste of key resources. From water use to crops that could otherwise feed humans, let alone its impact on the climate and the environment. This latest crisis to confront industrial farming shows how energy intense the industry is as well.

“Instead of ploughing more money into a cruel and toxic system, it's time to phase out factory farms for good.”


Background

The latest report by the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, published this year, states that a higher share of plant-based foods with greater dietary diversity and reduced consumption of animal-sourced foods and unhealthy foods has both mitigation and adaptation benefits and other environmental co-benefits.

Shut down factory farming to save energy

Shut down factory farming to save energy

Read the complete joint NGO statement

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The food industry must take action now


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FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them. Founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler and friends, the organisation advocates for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding. The sustainable campaigns and projects of FOUR PAWS focus on companion animals including stray dogs and cats, farm animals and wild animals – such as bears, big cats and orangutans – kept in inappropriate conditions as well as in disaster and conflict zones. With offices in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the UK, the USA and Vietnam as well as sanctuaries for rescued animals in eleven countries, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term solutions. www.four-paws.org

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