Meat industry

A great portion of the ever-growing[1] meat branch in the food industry involves intensive animal farming in which livestock are kept almost entirely indoors[2] or in restricted outdoor settings like pens.

[citation needed] The livestock industry uses more land than any other human activity and is one of the largest contributors to water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Taking into account other concerns, like the use of energy, pesticides, land, and nonrenewable resources, beef, lamb, goat, and bison as sources of red meat show the worst efficiency; poultry and eggs come out best.

suggest that the expense of dealing with the above is grossly underestimated by present economic metrics and that true cost accounting would drastically raise the price[14] of industrial meat.

[23] In a 2018 study in the Italian Journal of Food Safety, slaughterhouse workers are instructed to wear ear protectors to protect their hearing from the constant screams of animals being killed.

[41] In a report by Oxfam America, slaughterhouse workers were observed not being allowed breaks, were often required to wear diapers, and were paid below minimum wage.

[citation needed] A growing trend towards vegetarian or vegan diets and the Slow Food movement are indicators of a changing consumer conscience in western countries.