The US has seen a recent surge in bird flu cases, with 100,000 ducks euthanized and over 100 million chickens and turkeys affected nationwide. While the virus has primarily targeted animals, scientists warn that this strain may be just “one mutation away” from rapid transmission.
As factory farming has grown by 6% since 2017, concerns about animal welfare have intensified. Corporate agriculture’s treatment of animals has been widely criticized for its cruelty and inhumane conditions. The industry’s close ties with lobbyists and campaign donors have hindered efforts to regulate factory farms.
Despite some progress made under previous administrations, the Trump administration’s policies have allowed factory farming to continue unchecked. The presumptive health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has expressed concerns about the industry’s practices, but his views on raw milk have raised questions about his credibility.
The lack of attention from corporate media and mainstream news outlets has contributed to a muted response to the crisis. However, nonprofit organizations are taking a stronger stance against industrial agriculture. If cable news and papers of record follow their lead, public awareness and action may increase, potentially leading to changes in policy.
Source: https://www.thenation.com/article/world/trump-bird-flu-pandemic-health-crisis