Toxic Neighbors

“Toxic Neighbors.” New film by Green REV Institute. Living in the countryside does not mean consenting to live next to a factory farming or giving up the right to a clean environment. Green REV Institute’s new documentary, “Toxic Neighbors,” explores who bears the costs of industrial animal production and who can influence its rules. The documentary is dedicated to the memory of Prof. Andrzej Elżanowski - one of its subjects, an outstanding zoologist, paleontologist, and bioethicist, as well as a tireless defender of animal rights. “Lex Stench” and the Right to Have a Say One of the film’s themes is the activities of the Safe Food Federation related to the government’s draft bill amending certain laws to protect the agricultural production functions of rural areas, referred to by the Federation as “Lex Stench.” The bill aims to strengthen the protection of agricultural activities. However, the Federation points out that the proposed regulations may make it more difficult for people living near farms to assert their rights. It also notes that the bill does not distinguish between family farms and large-scale commercial farms. The film is about participation - how residents, organizations, and experts can collectively have their say on legislation that may affect their lives. It also shows how the Federation is building the critical mass needed to advocate for the rights of local communities. Human Health, Climate, and Animal Rights Ethical, health, and climate arguments speak against industrial animal production. The film explores the impact of food on health and the consequences of living near large-scale industrial farms. It highlights the climate impact associated with animal farming. It also contrasts common perceptions of the factory farming with the reality of animals’ lives - the scale of their exploitation, their suffering, and the reduction of sentient beings to mere commodities. The narration is led by Dr. Marzena Cypryańska-Nezlek, a social psychologist. She speaks with Nawojka Ciborska, a social activist, and Dr. Janusz Janczukowicz, M.D., from the Medical University of Łódź. The film also features Mateusz Jarczyński, an animal rights activist, and Anna Spurek, president of the Green REV Institute and the Safe Food Federation. One of the documentary’s protagonists is Prof. Andrzej Elżanowski - a zoologist, paleontologist, and bioethicist who was involved in the defense of animal rights for many years. Professor passed away on September 9. The film is dedicated to his memory. The film was produced as part of a project carried out by the Green REV Institute, entitled 'Institutional Development of the Future Food 4 Climate Coalition', financed by the National Institute of Freedom - Center for Civil Society Development as part of the Government Programme for Civil Initiatives Fund NEWCIF for 2021-2030.