Industrial Food Animal ProductionIn recent decades, the production of meat, dairy and eggs is characterized by ever-increasing scale and concentration; production methods that involve heavy use of pharmaceutical compounds and inexpensive labor; and control in the hands of a small number of companies. These methods of production are well-established and entrenched in many high-income countries, and over time are becoming more prevalent in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs). There is accumulating scientific evidence that this manner of animal production is unsustainable and poses serious risks to rural communities, consumers and ecosystems. Through the Industrial Food Animal Production (IFAP) project, the CLF has engaged in work focused on these issues for more than 20 years, spanning this production modality in both domestic and international settings. The purpose of the IFAP project is to characterize and address these issues by: - Conducting research to generate the scientific evidence needed to effect change
- Serving as a resource for government and private-sector decision makers, and the advocacy community
- Translating evidence for diverse audiences
- Training the next generation of food system and public health professionals
The IFAP project explores the public health implications of: - Antimicrobial misuse in food animal production
- Resource (land, water, energy) use in animal production
- Current workforce structure and conditions in food animal production
- Food production, diet and impacts on global ecosystems (e.g., climate and water use)
- Aquaculture (i.e., farmed aquatic animals) and fisheries
- Food animal production practices on the health of communities
- The global expansion of IFAP production methods
Recent Peer-reviewed PublicationsHighlighted Peer-reviewed Publications- Concerns re: interpretation and translation of findings in Energy use, blue water footprint, and greenhouse gas emissions for current food consumption patterns and dietary recommendations in the US
Environment Systems and Decisions, 2016 - Industrial Food Animal Production and Community Health
Current Environmental Health Reports, July 2015 - Investigating the Role of State Permitting and Agriculture Agencies in Addressing Public Health Concerns Related to Industrial Food Animal Production
PLOS ONE, February 2014 - Investigating the Role of State and Local Health Departments in Addressing Public Health Concerns Related to Industrial Food Animal Production Sites
PLOS ONE, 2013 - High-Density Livestock Operations, Crop Field Application of Manure, and Risk of Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection in Pennsylvania
JAMA Internal Medicine, September 2013 - Restrictions on antimicrobial use in food animal production: an international regulatory and economic survey
Globalization and Health, October 16, 2013 - Roxarsone, Inorganic Arsenic, and Other Arsenic Species in Chicken: A U.S.-Based Market Basket Sample
Environmental Health Perspectives, May 2013 - Veterinary drug residues in seafood inspected by the European union, United States, Canada, and Japan from 2000 to 2009
Environmental Science & Technology, September 2011
Essential ReportsMore Publications, Letters, Comments and ReportsClick here for our database containing all publications. Click here for a list of selected letters and comments. | |