What are the disadvantages and advantages of intensive farming?
[1] Advantages tend to be identified as greater efficiency, higher yields, increased profits, lower prices, and wider audience. In terms of the latter, the benefit is seen as greater availability of cheaper priced healthy food for the poor. [2] Disadvantages tend to be identified as overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions for animals; higher chemical, labor and watering inputs; greater environmental degradation [especially in terms of eroding and exhausting soils and polluting air and water]; and declining health. In terms of the latter, the negative is seen as greater toxic exposure in production and processing.
