Spain's massive factory farming is becoming a point of contention in the country and dividing its ruling coalition. Spain is Europe's largest meat consumer with 70 million livestock slaughtered a year. 

The Guardian quoted Alberto Garzon, Spain's Consumer Affairs Minister, slamming the so-called "mega-farms" describing them as "unsustainable".

He detailed how "they [the mega-farms] find a village in a depopulated bit of Spain and put in 4,000, or 5,000, or 10,000 head of cattle."

Garzon's remarks infuriated farmers. He added that "They pollute the soil, they pollute the water and then they export this poor quality meat from these ill-treated animals."

Garzon is the coordinator of the United Left party, a junior member of the minority coalition government.

In response, the UPA Union that represents minor producers said there are "no mistreated animals in Spain."

The Union accused Garzon of basing his statements on "falsehoods that would have harmful effects on Spanish meat exports."

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Pablo Casado, the leader of the conservative major opposition Popular Party (PP), called the remarks "an attack against ranchers and farmers and the image of our country."

According to government spokesperson Isabel Rodriguez, Garzon was speaking at his sole discretion, expressing that the government supports the cattle industry, which contributes significantly to Spain's exports.

Cultural weight

Earlier, Garzon had been under heavy criticism in July for telling Spaniards to eat less meat.

According to a university professor, Salvador Calvet, Garzon's comments created tension due to the cultural and economic weight of farming in the country, which is a source of livelihood for numerous families.

2.5 million jobs in the country come from livestock farming and export amount to $10 billion annually. In the last 60 years, the numbers have increased more than in any European country.

External demand, particularly from China, is driving the sector's expansion, as is domestic demand in Spain, where many meat products are staples of many people's diets.

According to FAO data, each person in Spain consumes an average of 98.8 kilograms of meat annually, more than double the global average of 42 kilos. 

Greenpeace warned of the repercussions of this overindulgence and endorsed Garzon.

Calvet says although much debate exists, the reality is "complex and nuanced," adding that even though farmers have improved their procedures in recent years, there is still room for much more improvement.