Abstract
LL.M.
Section 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 provides the constitutional
framework for ensuring the continued healthy existence of human beings and the environment at
large.
Animal agriculture has a significant impact of human health and well-being, as animals form part of
certain people’s nutritional in take by either consuming animals directly through their meat or
animal products like milk or eggs. Animal agriculture also has a major environmental impact.
Animal agriculture will likely not be able to keep up with increased demands caused by a growing
human population, which might cause certain practices like factory farming to emerge which could
have serious negative impacts on the health and well-being of people as well as the environment at
large. Due to intensification, factory farms often cause severe impacts on the environment, with
little to no regard being paid to the welfare of factory farm animals or the health and well-being of
people.
This dissertation will analyse how factory farming causes various forms of pollution due to waste,
which negatively affects human health and well-being which is protected in terms of section 24.
The legislative and other measures that are currently in place will be analysed to show that these are
not reasonable; which is contrary to the requirements of section 24. Finally, recommendations will
be made on how section 24 could be used to effectively regulate animal agricultural practices to
ensure a healthy environment.