The following statement regarding new research linking produce safety risks to nearby animal feedlots may be attributed to Katherine Jernigan, Director of the Transfarmation Project:
Research into E. coli risks linked to produce grown near animal feedlots underscores a reality Mercy For Animals and the Transfarmation Project have long warned about: industrial animal agriculture creates systemic public health risks that extend far beyond the animals themselves. When large numbers of animals are confined in close quarters, contamination from waste becomes a predictable threat to the surrounding land, air, water, and food crops. Instead of treating these outbreaks as isolated or technical challenges, we need to address the root cause. Transfarmation exists to help farmers transition away from high-risk animal production toward diversified, resilient systems that protect food safety, communities, and livelihoods. This research reinforces that transforming our food system isn’t just an animal welfare issue—it’s a human health imperative.
— Katherine Jernigan, Director of the Transfarmation Project
###
