Regulating the environmental impacts of factory farming in South Africa: legal perspectives

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to determine the impact of factory farming on the environment in South Africa. It also determined whether the current existing environmental legislation in the country adequately regulates the growing industry. The various impacts that factory farms may have on the environment are discussed in detail and they include water pollution, air pollution and desertification. The applicable laws are discussed in detail and also applied to the environmental impacts caused by the activities on factory farms to determine the strengths and shortcomings in South African environmental legislation, regarding regulation of the industry. The application of common law, such as the law of nuisance is also discussed and considered as a possible remedy. This study concludes that there is a lack of environmental law and regulations, which specifically regulate and resolve the environmental problems relating to the activities on factory farms. Without sufficient and effective legislation to regulate the industry, the activities on factory farms may lead to severe environmental degradation.