The statement of the Minister of Consumer Affairs of Spain has caused great controversy in the meat industry.
Over the past 15 years, the number of factory farms in Spain has doubled. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, 2,126 farms in Spain raise pigs for food.
In a recent interview with GuardiansSpain’s Minister of Consumer Affairs Alberto Garzón has been outspoken about the harmful effects of factory farming on the environment, public and animal health.
At Animal Equality, our 15 years of undercover investigations have shown us firsthand how damaged the meat industry is. And Mr. Garzon’s statements are significant in creating change at the judicial level and bringing transparency to consumers. Bringing these issues to light is especially important in Spain, where pig farms are very common.
According to Garzón, intensive farming is not environmentally sustainable and the quality of meat produced is poor due to mistreatment of animals. He cites scientific evidence that meat production is a significant cause of pollution and greenhouse gases. Another report published in October said that intensive pig farming may have caused one of Spain’s biggest environmental disasters, killing thousands of fish due to nitrate-laden runoff.
Mr. Garzón’s statement caused great controversy among the meat industry, opposition politicians, and high-ranking members of the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party). Many felt that his comments damaged Spain’s reputation as a prominent producer in the meat industry and called for his resignation.
So what’s really happening in a country that is on track to become the European Union’s top pork producer?
The truth about pig farms in Spain
Pig farms in Spain are highly industrialized. The law allows them to raise up to 7,200 animals or 21,600 a year. In the rearing facilities they can raise up to 2,880 sows, each of which can give birth to 27 calves in a year.
More than half of the factory’s farms in Spain are located in Catalonia, Aragon, Castilla y Leon and Castilla-La Mancha. Although these farms are highly profitable, they still receive public subsidies.
These factory farms can cause a number of public health problems for local communities such as air pollution and contaminated water.
Why is there an increase in factory farms?
Over the past 20 years, Spain has begun to see an increase in large factory farms and a decrease in small and medium sized farms. Since 2007, the number of pigs has increased by 50%, but the number of farms has decreased by 11%.
So what causes the increase in intensification?
Spain has met the demand for meat and increased production significantly due to increased exports. These farms function as highly productive facilities, capable of rapidly producing and exporting meat to countries such as China, one of the main destinations for pork from Spain.
In 2020 alone, exports increased by 20% over the previous year.
Pollution caused by factory farms
The environmental degradation caused by these giant factory farms is considerable. Pig farms in particular have a major impact on the environment and public health of surrounding communities due to their high volume of waste.
Through our investigations, we found that these intensive pig farms can produce up to 15,480 feet of manure, which is equivalent to filling 4.6 Olympic swimming pools a year. Toxic waste particles can filter through and contaminate drinking water.
In Spain, 22% of surface water and 23% of groundwater are contaminated with nitrates. These percentages exceed 50 mg/liter (2.92 gallons), the maximum allowed by the World Health Organization. As a result, the European Commission accused Spain of not protecting its waters.
These farms not only pollute the water supply, but also require huge amounts of water to operate efficiently. Studies show that they need twice as much water as a town with 400 citizens (Datadista).
Conditions for animals inside Spanish factory farms
Animal Equality has been investigating pig farms in Spain for more than a decade. What we have discovered is dangerous environments and loads of suffering.
We have documented piglets mutilated without anesthesia, raised in overcrowded conditions, between their own faeces and the tortures and injuries suffered untreated and untreated. get veterinary care. These animals are also given large amounts of antibiotics just to survive in these conditions.
Sharon Núñez, President of Animal Equality said: “Animal Equality has been investigating factory farms in Spain since 2007 in the belief that Spaniards have a right to know what happens behind doors. close. “Every time we profile one of these facilities, we see animal abuse and neglect. The Minister’s comments come at a time when awareness has been raised about the environmental and animal welfare impacts of factory farming”.
Why is our work important?
At Animal Equality, we have worked tirelessly to educate consumers about the livestock industry through investigative work, legal advocacy and corporate outreach. And thanks to your continued support, we have impacted the lives of millions of animals worldwide.
We are determined to create a world where animals are respected and protected to the highest degree. We hope that many people in positions of power capable of making lasting change will continue to speak out against the meat industry and its impact on animals and the environment.
What can you do
It is hard to imagine the large number of pigs killed each year in Spain alone. But it’s never too late to get involved and be part of our mission to end cruelty to domestic animals everywhere. A good way to start is to remove animals from your plate and choose plant alternatives whenever possible. By taking this simple action, you save the lives of animals and help protect our environment.
You can also help raise awareness by sharing news about our investigations and supporting our work.
