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According to Vergunst and Savulescu, 50 billion animals are raised and enslaved every year to make food around the world. The livestock industry has quickly become one of the most unethical industries in the current economy. Since the transition of mankind to agriculture, the creation of animals in captivity - that is, the maintenance, breeding and enslavement of animals to obtain food and other products - has prevailed in society as the main source of food, goods and profit.

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According to the non-governmental organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), 'speciesism' is the human conviction that all animals of other species are inferior. This worldview of human supremacy, considers animals as means for human purposes and is what sustains livestock and consumption (PETA). Industrial livestock farms, or commonly known as "slaughterhouses", manufacture products in ways totally unrelated to animal welfare (Vegunst and Savulescu, 2019). These farms are centers of animal cruelty and often go against ethical codes and professional guidelines.

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The country with the largest number of farms and cattle companies in the world is the United States, second is Latin America, with most of it located in Brazil, followed by Argentina and Mexico. Most livestock companies do not provide comfortable or sufficient space for animals to move and for air ventilation. This creates an unhygienic environment and intense heat, which causes animals to develop anxiety and even health problems. Livestock are often bred and kept in captivity under conditions that cause them prolonged suffering.

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In an interview with PETA's representative, Sirrus Lawson, the treatment and quality of life that animals normally receive on these farms is “terrible and unethical”. These animals are subjected to brutal treatments and horrendous experiences. To illustrate, the life of a captive cow often involves being constantly forcibly fertilized in ways to use breast milk and simultaneously produce more cattle, being separated from her calves each time, and when they can no longer support, cows they often go through their dying final days being transported to slaughter, their lives ending in inhumane ways.

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When it comes time for slaughter, farm animals are usually shot with captive guns or cut in the neck, but as many workers are poorly trained, many remain alive and conscious for minutes, even after being shot or killed. cut (PETA). The slaughter of most domestic animals, such as cows, pigs and chickens, is done with different "techniques", but with the same cruelty and indifference to the lives of these animals.

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According to Lawson, the livestock industry is blatantly based on human superiority over animals, specifically those that "are not considered pets" (ie speciesism). This industry feeds on profit and commits inhuman behavior against animals because of how much society consumes with it. It is with government funding and taxes that livestock is sustained. The moral problem surrounding the livestock industry is largely ignored due to the profits generated by it. However, according to Lawson, one way to help animals in this industry is to bring up the abuse they suffer through education and awareness.

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Society is thus obliged to review the questionable ideals they have about the livestock and food industry, which support production and abuse. Lawson says that actions as simple as educating friends and family, and engaging in social media contribute to the purpose. "It's a simple system of thinking that usually starts at home," established Lawson.

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The Representative also stated that another good way to contribute is to try the vegan lifestyle, although he understands that it may not be accessible to everyone.

Of course, the unethical treatment received by animals on industrial farms should be discussed more emphatically in society, so that people become more aware of their consumption and are educated about the unfair reality of animals in the livestock industry.

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By Karina Torres