Factory farming isn’t inevitable. Giant, filthy, cramped animal farms are not simply the consequence of technological advancement in agriculture. Industrial farming is a system built by companies with the help of friendly governments; public policies and taxpayer subsidies play a critical role in propping up factory farming. Farm Forward opposes public funding of factory farms and greenwashing technologies like biogas, which serve to entrench and expand factory farming. Earlier this year, Farm Forward joined a coalition, the Michiganders for a Just Farming System, opposing a proposed bill (Senate Bill 275) in the Michigan legislature that would enrich industrial animal agriculture at the expense of smaller-scale farmers, Michigan communities, and truly clean energy solutions.
This proposed legislation is another case of public policy being used to calcify the status quo of large-scale, confinement agriculture. SB 275 would classify farm-derived biogas as a clean fuel source, which would allow it to qualify for participation in a lucrative carbon credit market. Factory-farmed animals, particularly cows and pigs, produce vast volumes of waste that emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas, along with other pollutants. Biodigesters (also called anaerobic digesters) can capture some of the methane produced by manure waste, which can be burned to produce modest amounts of electricity. While biodigesters may reduce some methane emissions, the purpose of the technology is not primarily to solve climate change. The technology is used by the meat and dairy industry as well as the fossil fuel industry to create government programs to profit from their polluting practices. The pattern is so clear that it’s commonly referred to as “brown gold” by dairy producers.
According to a recent survey conducted by Data for Progress for Farm Forward, a plurality of Michiganders (47 percent) have an unfavorable view of large-scale factory farms, whereas 89 percent have a positive view of small family farms. What’s more, Michiganders are supportive of climate legislation, but with a catch: they are less likely to support climate legislation like factory farm biogas when they learn that it’s a boon for industry.
If SB 275 is passed by the Democratic House and Senate and signed by Governor Whitmer, Michigan factory farms may be eligible for tens of millions of dollars in lucrative credits, enriching an industry that most Michiganders have a negative view of.
In the poll, Democrats’ support for SB 275 dropped by 22 points after respondents learned that industry heavily influenced the bill. The prime backer of SB 275 is a group called Clean Fuels Michigan, which represents numerous companies and interests, from Amazon to BP to Delta. Conversely, SB 275 has virtually no support from environmental groups within the state.
Those survey results should be no surprise. Good climate legislation should leverage public investment in the technologies and industries that stand to make a meaningful impact on climate change and improve local environments. Enriching factory farms does neither of those things. Michiganders want to invest in climate solutions to reduce greenhouse gasses, improve air and water quality, support sustainable farmers, and benefit rural communities. So do we. That’s why we oppose SB 275 and efforts to greenwash factory farms.
Instead, we should push for legislation like the Industrial Agriculture Conversion Act, which moves the US closer to a more sustainable and humane food system.