"In our behavior toward animals, most of us are Nazis. We see oppression vividly when we're the victims, otherwise we victimize blindly and without a thought." Isaac Bashevis Singer - Nobel Prize winner 1978
Undercover investigation of Smithfield Foods reveals factory farm horrors
If you enjoy eating pork occasionally, you might not want to read any further. But you probably should -- especially as America waits to learn the fate of the almost universally hailed food-safety bill, which suddenly faces hurdles in Congress.
Female breeding pigs were crammed inside "gestation crates" so small the animals could barely move for virtually their entire lives. The animals engaged in stereotypic behaviors such as biting the bars of crates, indicating poor well-being in the extreme confinement conditions. Some had bitten their bars so incessantly that blood from their mouths coated the fronts of their crates. The breeding pigs also suffered injuries from sharp crate protrusions and open pressure sores that developed from their unyielding confinement.
Animal-rights advocates have long protested the use of gestation crates in farms. According to the Humane Society, Burger King, Wendy's, Carl's Jr., Hardee's, Chipotle, Quizno's, Sonic, Wolfgang Puck, Safeway and Whole Foods have all "reduced or eliminated their use of pork from pigs bred using gestation crates." In 2007, Smithfield -- after catching much heat over the practice -- announced that it was phasing out gestation crates but reversed course two years later, citing "significant operating losses."
You can watch a video summary of the Humane Society's investigation below:
See more at news.yahoo.com
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