It is the duty of society to protect the weaker group, for example, handicapped people are protected against unfair exploitation. The animal is, compared to the exploiting owners of factory farms, the weaker group that cannot stand up for itself. In nature the law of the fittest, strongest, smartest or fastest prevails. By protecting the weaker group in combination with a guarantee for freedom we surpass nature. It does not matter whether the call is based on economic or on emotional grounds or whether the existence of factory farms is defended with the argument that jobs and national interests are 'endangered'.
Basic rights come first and last.
To weight economic consequences as equal is immoral. Inconsistent policy concerning animals Freedom for individual animals can suddenly no longer be taken for granted if the species becomes economically attractive or happens to taste good. Humans thus have an inconsistent policy where animals are concerned. But for animals in nature, on the other hand, we are so generous that we release them unconditionally. We even plan this freedom by restructuring our countryside on the basis of ecological highways.