CAFOs Uncovered, The Untold Costs Of Confined Animal Feeding Operations

In this report, the Union of Concerned Scientists analyzes both the policies that have facilitated the growth of Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) and the enormous costs that they impose on society. The sophisticated and efficient alternatives for producing affordable animal products are also discussed, as well as policy recommendations for a healthy and sustainable food system.

Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) are the result of misguided public policy, as alternative production methods can be economically efficient and technologically sophisticated while still delivering animal products without the potential issues presented by CAFOs.

However, these alternative production systems are at a disadvantage because CAFOs are subsidized at public expense and the cost of the waste that they generate is offset by public pollution cleanup programs.

This report analyzes the subsidies and hidden costs of CAFOs to society, including the damage caused by water and air pollution and the costs associated with excessive antibiotic use.