The Solution: Part 4

The Solution: Part 4

(Naysayers)

In his book The Economics of Animal Health and Production, Rushton argues that the current processes in America have two distinct benefits for Americans, which we should not abandon. The first is food security. He states that since the average American is living in urban environments with little access to livestock, we have become dependent on the system of relying on others to supply our food for us. He argues that our current system of centralizing food production in America has created security knowing that a sufficient amount of livestock will be produced and supplied to the general public.[1] This also forces the price of food products to stay at a manageable level, which allows for more people to afford food.

The second benefit to our current system is food safety.[2] He argues that since Americans have placed the responsibility of food production in the hands of fewer entities, it is inevitable that the food will be safe to eat. This can result from organizations, like the FDA, being able to address many of the large factory farms, making sure they are up to standards. In these two arguments, Rushton provides a compelling argument for the continuation of the centralization of food production in America.


The Solution: Part 5 (Sneak Peek)

The conclusion! What do we at The Organic Hype think needs to be done about our food production process.



Citations:

 

[1] Rushton, Jonathan. 2009. The economics of animal health and production. Wallingford, UK: CABI. http://public.eblib.com/EBLPublic/PublicView.do?ptiID=408053. p. xi
[2] Ibid.