Industrial Agriculture Essay

Research Question Should the governments set standards for the viands producing trans depicted object companies to ensure the safety of its citizens and the environment?IntroductionAs a necessary part of human survival, regimen is a human respectable. Sm whole, local family farms were the basics of traditional rural communities and the global food security which was the susceptibility of countries to attain the food they need to survive in a to a greater extent sustainable way. Yet the global food supply is increasingly falling at a lower place the fork out of giant multinational corporations with policies that be not environmentally sustainable. sustainable farming preserves biodiversity, maintains soil fertility and peeing purity, conserves and improves the chemic, corporal and biological qualities of the soil, recycles natural resources and conserves energy. Furthermore, sustainable land aro riding habits diverse forms of towering type foods, fibers and medicine s. Likewise, this dodge respects the ecological principles of diversity and mutually underage and uses the understandings of modern science to improve rather than displace the traditional intuition accumulated over centuries by countless farmers around the world.Although the food industriousness encompasses all those who be involved in growing, processing, manufacturing or distributing food, from the farm to retail shops and restaurants, the threat to human health and the environment is ignored. The major problem is that at that place is not a sustainable agriculture system anymore with the stolon of the Green change in Mexico. Sustainable agriculture is a sham of social and sparing organization establish on an fair and democratic vision of development which recognizes the environment and natural resources as the foundation of economic activity. Agriculture is sustainable when it is ecologically sound, economically possible, culturally appropriate and based on a general sc ientific approach. The global corporatization of agriculture has had bootleg effects on farmers, food security, and the environment. To minimize these effects, governments of the world should set policies for the companies that produce food in gild to protect their citizens health and for a more sustainable environment.Pesticidesindustrial Agriculture contaminates fruits, vegetables and water with pesticides. Pesticides have been known to kick the bucket illnesses and contribute to the emergence of deaths caused by diseases. They seep into the soil which creates contamination of the reduces produced and the nigh water sources. They ar a costly and a time consuming form of insecticides and herbicides to clean. They are used greatly and without proper regulation in the entire agricultural environment. Standards for toxicological and microbiological hazards, and instituting procedures and practices to ensure that the standards are met should be set. In his writings, the Andrew Kimbrell shows evidence more or less this problem, Since 1989, overall pesticide use has risen by about 8 percent, or 60 million pounds(Kimbrell 11). This article was written in 2002. At the present year, 2012, this number has undoubtedly increased. Issues here acknowledge take away of nutrients and pesticides, water extraction and drainage and flooding.Contamination of twain screen background and come to the fore waters caused by high levels of ware and use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers is a serious problem, particularly in areas of livestock or specialized crop merchandise. Agricultural practices have been found to contribute to non-point source water pollutants that include sediments, fertilizers (nitrates and phosphorus), pesticides, and manures. Pesticides from every chemical class have been detected in groundwater and are commonly found in groundwater beneath agricultural areas which are far-flung in surface waters. These reduce the water quality which impacts agricultural production, potable water supplies, and fishery production. The deaths that are caused by chemicals and the risk of crab louse would increase. umpteen popular pesticides appear capable of compromising the bodys ability to fight an infection, an extensive study finds. If true, pesticide use could be a dark killer especially in developing countries, where infections are a track cause of death, says Robert Repetto, vice president of the Washington D.C. based World Resources convey ( WRI) and a co-author of the new report (Science News 1). A liberalist budget system can be developed in order to support research on production of healthy food. Another ancestor is to determine and evaluate the chemicals that exist in the agricultural environment. Certain criteria much(prenominal)(prenominal) as evaluating statistics of illness and death caused by these chemicals, how government officials are ordinance pesticidal use, and establishing alternmative methods of living n eed to be included when evaluating this dilemma.genetically Modified Productsgenetically modified products are not natural and increases the risk of cancer. These products are both plants and animals. For plants, the genetics of the crops are changed in order repel insects and other casteless weeds to increase yield. However, the changing of the genetics make these crops paranormal which is a potential threat to human health. The genetic modification for animals are through in a different way, but it has the same goal as the plants. To meet the need for the unlimited goods, scientists have found ways to every increase the body mass of an animal for more meat or to increase the amount of milk that could be obtained from cattle at an unnatural level. Corporations such as Monsanto not only are in hold up of the crops, but also the dairy industry. Cows are given chemicals to increase production of milk, but the milk causes cancer.In 1994, the FDA approved the sale of Monsantos contr oversial GE recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) injected into dairy cows to force them to produce more milk even though scientists warned that gravely higher levels (400-500% or more) of a potent chemical hormone, Insulin-Like Growth ingredient (IGF-1), in the milk and dairy products of injected cows, could pose serious hazards for human breast, prostate, and colon cancer (Cummins). These chemical hormones are serious risks of cancer. Drinking something natural as milk should not be harmful for a person. If nothing is through with(p) in order to prevent such a dilemma, the risk of cancer would increase for everyone because dairy products are an important part of persons dietary needs. To solve this problem, an independent body of organization can be established which would be authorized to test and develop standards on food production. Also for international organizations developing safety standards to ban any sight agreement which products contain genetically modified su bstances.The Environmental DamageIndustrial agriculture have replaced the family farm practices which were mostly sustainable and also taken an extra toll on the environment that is not reflected in consumer prices. The soon dominant system of industrial agriculture impacts the environment in numerous ways. It uses huge amounts of water, energy, and chemicals, often with little regard to long-term indecent effects. The overexploitation of fertilizers and chemicals, overgrazing, and the unenforced regulation of factory farm dumping of agricultural byproducts such as excrement and pesticides into rivers and streams all damage the quality of air, water, and soil, which are of everyones shared resources. Irrigation systems are pumping water from reservoirs faster than they are being recharged. urine scarcity in many places is due to overuse of surface and ground water for irrigation with little concern for the natural cycle that maintains stable water availability. Toxic herbicide s and insecticides are accumulating in ground and surface waters.Chemical fertilizers are running off the palm into water systems where they generate damaging blooms of oxygen-depleting microorganisms that separate ecosystems and kill fish. In Chesapeake Bay, native sea grasses, fish, and shellfish populations have declined dramatically in number in the last few decades due to highly high nitrogen and phosphorous levels caused by the excessive use of chemical fertilizers(Kimbrell 30). Agricultures environmental impact has grown since farmers became dependent on chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Since the 1950s, fertilizer and pesticide use has increased substantially worldwide. If the hazardous chemicals are overused, the ecological balance in nature would be at risk. some(prenominal) of the negative effects of industrial agriculture extend far from fields and farms.For example, in the United States of America, nitrogen compounds from Midwestern farms, travel down the multiple sclerosis river to damage coastal fisheries and create a large dead regulate in the Gulf of Mexico where aquatic life cannot survive. But other adverse effects are showing up within agricultural production systems themselves with the overuse of herbicides and insecticides which has led to rapidly developing resistance among pests that is rendering these chemicals increasingly ineffective. Agricultures link to global climate change is merely beginning to be appreciated. Destruction of tropical forests and other native flora for agricultural production has a role in elevated levels of vitamin C dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The governments should pass laws that standarizes the use of these chemicals to protect the environment. Laws and regulations on hygienic standards should guarantee high quality and safe food for consumers and the environment.Other stance of the ArgumentThere are also positive sides to the development of industrial agriculture which people such as Norm an Borlaug says that biotech in agriculture will not harm biodiversity. Norman Borlaug, who is the father of the Green Revolution which started in the 1940s was the main starting point of the industrial agriculture we have today. Borlaug claims, If we grow our food and fiber on the land go around suited to farming with the technology that we have and whats coming, including proper use of genetic engineering and biotechnology, we will leave untouched vast tracts of land, with all of their plant and animal diversity (Bailey 6).However, the problems that the Green Revolution or industrial agriculture itself has brought and will bring most indubitably outweigh the benefits. integrity of the core things the Green Revolution has brought was the high-yielding seeds, fertilizers and irrigation projects. Nevertheless, most high-yielding seeds use up more energy to process because most varieties are not resistant to drought and new diseases. This leads to the use of heavy applications of e xpensive fertilizers and pesticides. And then expensive herbicides must(prenominal) be used because fertilizers not only stimulate plant ingathering but also weed growth. These heavy doses of many chemicals end up ruining the soil.This agricultural system is not environmentally sustainable, it only provides copious resources in the short run.ConclusionA number of food control problems are currently being debated at the national and international levels, regarding genetically modified foods, contaminants (including pesticides), irradiation and nutrition labelling. There is an apprehension about the consequences for the quality and safety of the food supply concerning the increasing use of pesticides and drugs, as wholesome as introducing genetically-modified organisms.There are many solutions for this crisis because food is a human right that demands the governments to set national policies to encourage food security. For example, local and diverse production of food should be su pported by the governments and companies to guarantee satisfactory and affectionate nutrition for all citizens. Governments must maintain the ability to pass laws for the national safety of their population to ensure food sovereignty. For governments, there is the need for enforceable standards that are convincing for both consumers and the industry.The industry needs standards that permit tractability and efficiency in producing and marketing foods that will serve their customers because it is important for consumers that food control system provide meaningful protection against real and important hazards. Consumers can play a critical role in creating a sustainable food system. Through their purchases, they send strong messages to producers, retailers and others in the system about what they think is important. Food cost and nutritional quality have always influenced consumer choices. The challenge now is to find strategies that broaden consumer perspectives, so that environment al quality, resource use, and social equity issues are also considered in obtain decisions. Finally, new policies and institution must be created to enable producers using sustainable practices to market their goods to a wider public.Work CitedBailey, Jay. Billions Served Norman Borlaug interviewed by Ronald Bailey. Reason Magazine. April 2000 Cummins, Ronnie. Hazards of Genetically Engineered Foods and Crops Why We Need A Global Moratorium. Motion Magazine. August 29, 1999. http//www.inmotionmagazine.com/geff4.html Kimbrell, Andrew. The cataclysm of Industrial Agriculture. Island Press. 2002Rosset, Peter. Lessons from the Green Revolution Grove Press. April 8, 2000Raloff, Johnathan. Pesticides May quarrel Human Immunity. Science News. 9 March 1996.