Factory farming is a mainstay of modern agriculture. In a story told from three very different perspectives, this documentary draws a fascinating and also frightening picture of the status quo.

Pig farmer Dirk Nienhaus grants us a rare glimpse behind the scenes at his modern piggery. He shows how livestock breeding has developed into a hightech, efficient process highlighting the fact that factory farming and cheap meat are two sides of the same coin. Dirk Nienhaus sometimes reflects on whether his pigs are suffering and candidly considers his personal role in the system.

Friedrich Mülln views modern farming from the opposing side: the founder of the animal welfare organization SOKO Tierschutz has specialized in publicizing scandalous conditions in factory farms. In the search for evidence of violations, he films in secret at night the documentary contains some of the footage he manages to capture. Friedrich Mülln outlines why he condemns factory farming outright.

Anja Hradetzky is looking for ways to harmonize livestock farming and animal wellbeing and finds herself challenging the limits of the system. Her cows live out on the pasture. The calves are raised by their mothers. They’re out in the fields when they’re killed with a single shot. Nevertheless, questions remain: What constitutes a happy life for animals? Who decides when that life should end? But also: Why is this not the norm in 99 per cent of livestock farms? And why, after so many years, does a farmer like Anja still struggle to make a living?


'The Great Meat Debate' Playlist (5Part Series):    • The Great Meat Debate (Documentary Se...  
Part 1: Factory farming, animal welfare and the future of modern agriculture    • Factory farming, animal welfare and t...  
Part 2: Do we need to eat meat?    • Do we need to eat meat? | DW Documentary  
Part 3: Ethics and meat consumption    • Ethics and meat consumption | DW Docu...  
Part 4: The world of meat substitutes    • The world of meat substitutes | DW Do...  
Part 5: A vegan lifestyle: Is it the future? [Coming soon]

#documentary #dwdocumentary #meat #agriculture #animals
______

DW Documentary gives you knowledge beyond the headlines. Watch top documentaries from German broadcasters and international production companies. Meet intriguing people, travel to distant lands, get a look behind the complexities of daily life and build a deeper understanding of current affairs and global events. Subscribe and explore the world around you with DW Documentary.

Subscribe to:
⮞ DW Documentary (English):    / dwdocumentary  
⮞ DW Documental (Spanish):    / dwdocumental  
⮞ DW Documentary وثائقية دي دبليو (Arabic):    / dwdocarabia  
⮞ DW Doku (German):    / dwdoku  
⮞ DW Documentary हिन्दी (Hindi):    / dwdochindi  

For more visit: http://www.dw.com/en/tv/docfilm/s3610
Follow DW Documentary on Instagram:   / dwdocumentary  
Follow DW Documental on Facebook:   / dwdocumental  

We kindly ask viewers to read and stick to the DW netiquette policy on our channel: https://p.dw.com/p/MF1G