The bird flu outbreak has raised alarming questions about the industry’s handling of infectious diseases, its prioritization of profits over public health, and the long-term consequences for human and animal welfare. As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential to examine the production methods that have enabled the virus to spread and the impact on consumers. With the risk of a pandemic looming larger than ever, industry officials must be held accountable for their role in perpetuating this crisis.
The bird flu outbreak has been unfolding nearly three years ago, with state and federal departments of agriculture working to maintain consumer confidence while tens of millions of birds are culled and taxpayers bear the cost of industry bailouts. Every new media report of an infected dairy herd, poultry flock, or farm worker comes with the industry-approved mantra “Don’t worry, the meat and milk are safe.” However, this messaging deflects from the production methods that have enabled the virus to spread.
The industry’s prioritization of profits over public health is alarming. The use of $38 billion in government handouts per year has enabled the animal agriculture industry to continue its outdated business model, rather than embracing more responsible and resilient practices. This approach has led to the advancement of genetic selection, milking robots, vaccines, antibiotics, and hormones, which have brought us closer to a dystopian future where animals are forced to produce more meat, milk, and eggs than nature ever intended.
The recent multi-species outbreak has highlighted the need for change. As the sector continues to be “bewildered and caught off-guard” by major crises, it is clear that the industry’s approach is unsustainable. The use of ventilation shutdown plus (VSD+) as a method of killing excess pigs during outbreaks is particularly concerning, with taxpayers forced to bail out producers while these billion-dollar companies make record profits.
It is time for consumers to take action and demand change. Businesses must look to the future and start replacing animal-based ingredients with animal-free protein in their products. The risk of a pandemic looms large, and it is essential that we learn from past public health disasters and take steps to prevent such crises from occurring again. As the situation continues to unfold, it is crucial that industry officials are held accountable for their role in perpetuating this crisis and that we prioritize public health and animal welfare above profits.
Source: https://time.com/7200002/bird-flu-outbreak-denial-essay