Outdated, dirty and risky

Although the outbreak appears to be slowing, this will not be the last crisis to plague the U.S. poultry industry. Horrendous conditions in bird factories and a resource-intensive, greedy business model make egg and chicken production a ticking time bomb — one that remains extremely vulnerable to disease outbreaks. According to Fortune reporter Erika Fry, “the most troubling aspect of the crisis is its implications for the viability of industrial-scale farming.” Ironically, the way birds are housed is meant to control their environment, protecting them from outside infections. While scientists scratch their heads over how such a virulent pathogen spread so quickly, Fry notes how “the poultry apocalypse exposes the food system’s vulnerability to such diseases.” It’s not just influenza outbreaks that place intensive poultry factories at risk. Other dangers include antibiotic-resistant salmonella (the latest outbreak of which affected 634 people), water contamination from massive piles of bird poop and serflike working conditions for growers (as exposed by comedian John Oliver). Moreover, rising consumer interest in animal welfare is creating negative PR. For example, the latest exposé of mistreatment, this time at a Costco egg supplier, has fomented public outrage. The incident resulted in a legal complaint filed against the big-box retailer for deceptive advertising. Speaking of legal risks, we are starting to see lawsuits filed by food companies against egg suppliers affected by the flu and unable to deliver on contracts. And the list goes on. It’s painfully clear we need a better, cleaner, less risky system.

We cannot build a resilient food system on the backs of billions of immune-compromised chickens.

Those concerned about climate change, public health and the vitality of our economy have long pushed for a transition away from fossil fuels to clean energy sources. We must take a similar approach to convert our food system from a dirty, outdated industry to one based on clean, sustainable production methods — starting with a reconsideration of chicken and eggs.

Sustainable and animal-free