Berkeley makes history: it is the first US city to ban intensive farming (to protect animals and the environment)

Berkeley has taken a new step towards a more sustainable future. With the approval of Measure DD, the Californian city has officially become the first in the United States to ban factory farmingknown as Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO).

A historic ban and the role of Measure DD

Measure DD is a citizen-driven bill that would ban the construction and operation of new CAFOs in Berkeley. These industrial facilities are known for the intensive confinement of animals such as cows, pigs and chickens, which they live most of their lives in extremely confined spaces with no access to the outside. The approval of the measure, supported by over 60% of voters, marks a decisive step in the protection of animals and the local ecosystem.

Currently, there are no active CAFOs in Berkeley. The last facility, a horse track known as Golden Gate Fields, closed in June 2024 after years of criticism and protests due to horse deaths during races. This closure, however, has not stopped citizens and environmental groups, who they wanted to ensure that the city remained free from future factory farms.

The impact of intensive farming

CAFOs represent the most extreme form of intensive farming and they are home to at least 99% of farm animals in the United States. These facilities, often compared to real factories, are designed to maximize profits while minimizing the space dedicated to animals. Animals raised in CAFOs spend their lives in conditions of great stress, without the possibility of expressing natural behaviors, and are subject to treatments that aim exclusively at increasing productivity.

In addition to problems related to animal welfare, CAFOs pose a threat to the environment. The immense quantities of waste produced contaminate water resources and contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. These farms have also been linked to the spread of diseases, such as avian influenza.

The voice of activists and the community

The campaign for Measure DD was supported by groups such as Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) e Compassionate Bay. Almira Tanner, Berkeley resident and key figure in DxE, enthusiastically commented on the outcome of the vote: “Berkeley residents have just taken a historic stand for animals and the Planet we all share. If we don’t act quickly for limit the main factors contributing to climate change, such as intensive agriculture, the consequences will worsen”.

Activists hope that May Berkeley’s decision inspire other cities to follow suitpromoting a more ethical and sustainable model of agriculture. Measure DD can set an important precedent for similar initiatives in other jurisdictions, leading to nationwide change.

Looking to the future

While the final certification of the vote is scheduled for December 2024, the path is now clear.

The ban on factory farming represents not only a victory for animals, but also a step forward in the fight against climate change and for the health of communities. The decision could become the starting point of one revolution in the approach to farming and food consumption in the United States.

Berkeley raised the curtain on a new chapter of environmental awareness and ethics. Only time will tell whether his courageous act of pioneering will lead to broader change, but one thing is certain: the seed of transformation has been planted.