New Delhi, Jan 11 (IANS) Confinement of animals in industrial facilities threatens human health, degrades the environment and diminishes income-earning opportunities in rural areas, a report said Wednesday.

The Impact of Industrial Farm Animal Production on Food Security in the Developing World by NGO Humane Society International, the report is critical of the idea that inhumane confinement of animals in industrial production facilities enhances food security.

“There is strong scientific evidence of the negative impacts of these animal factories on people and animals,” said Chetana Mirle, director of farm animal protection for HSI.

“We must do a better job of supporting small-farmer led and animal welfare-friendly agriculture as well as implementing stronger environmental and farm animal welfare regulations.”

According to the report, in India, 140-200 million egg laying hens were confined to barren, wire battery cages so restrictive they cannot even spread their wings.

Each bird has less living space than an A4 sheet of paper.

With no opportunity to experience most natural behavior, such as nesting, dust bathing, perching and foraging, these birds endure lives wrought with suffering.

Factory farms that confine more than 50,000 birds within a single shed are increasingly common in the country.

“The HSI report reviews the growing body of evidence showing that industrial farm animal production fails to improve food security,” said the report.

For example, the growing confinement of India’s egg laying hens in cramped battery cages has failed to significantly improve the nutritional outcomes for low-income communities.