Documentary filmmaker Mark Devries shot video of multiple farms supplying pigs for Smithfield, the world’s biggest producer of pork. The camera-equipped drone – the same technology used in military surveillance – reveals the staggering size and scale of each facility, including manure “lagoons” the size of two to four football fields, and massive buildings holding thousands of pigs. Mark also spoke to residents who live near the farms and experts in public health and environmental protection to discuss the local impact.
This footage was shot in North Carolina, which failed to pass an “ag-gag” law prohibiting undercover video. Mark has been careful to film only in states without ag-gag laws, however, Texas has already passed a law banning the use of drones based on fears that animal and environmental activists will use them to surveil agribusiness and oil enterprises.
For more information, see: http://factoryfarmdrones.com/