Factory Farms Forced to Report Their Deadly Emissions
Litigation

FROM

IDA In Defense of Animals
December 2017

Anyone with a pet knows firsthand that raising animals means dealing with animal waste. But many of us may not realize that as the waste breaks down, it emits serious pollutants — most notably ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. While those emissions are miniscule for pet owners, they can be quite substantial for farms that have hundreds or thousands of animals.”

factory farm pollution
Image by Mishka Henner

For more than eight years, factory farms haven’t had to report their toxic emissions to the federal government, but very soon they will. Thanks in part to your support, and the incredible dedication of Earthjustice attorneys, factory farms will be required to participate in mandatory emission reporting as of January 22, 2018.

Each year the U.S. government collects mandatory emission reports from 41 sectors, but due to an exemption granted by the exiting Bush administration in 2008, factory farms were granted a free pass, making it the only major source of toxic gas and chemical pollution in America excluded from reporting.

Thankfully during April this past year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia did away with this unjust exemption.

The court explained during its ruling:

“Anyone with a pet knows firsthand that raising animals means dealing with animal waste. But many of us may not realize that as the waste breaks down, it emits serious pollutants — most notably ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. While those emissions are miniscule for pet owners, they can be quite substantial for farms that have hundreds or thousands of animals.”

Soon, we will have access to data to better quantify the far reaching and damaging impact factory farms have — not only on suffering animals, but on the environment and ultimately, on us.

While this is a win for accountability, as an individual you can do something right now to save animals, the environment, and your own health by no longer funding these damaging industries. BE VEGAN!

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