Summary Of Several U.S. Farm Animal Welfare Polls From The Last Decade
A summary of major public opinion polls regarding issues relating to farmed animals, compiled from public sources and several animal protection organizations.
May 2003 Gallup poll found that “Americans support passing strict laws concerning the treatment of farm animals, by a 62% to 35%” margin.
An October 2003 Zogby poll found that 52% of Americans identify themselves as concerned about “the treatment of farm animals raised for food consumption. “An April 2004 Market Directions poll found that 81% of Americans believe that farmers “are concerned about the well-being of their animals” and 76% believe farmers “care about the environment.”
A January 2005 Ohio State University poll found that 81% of Ohioans believe that “the well-being of farm animals is just as important as the well-being of pets,” and that 75% believe “farm animals should be protected from feeling physical pain.”
A series of Decision Research focus groups conducted in July 1999 led the pollster to recommend that humane groups focus more on inhumane farming methods than on slaughter, that vegetarianism not be a part of humane farm animal treatment campaigns, and that humane groups and environmental groups work more closely together on the issue.
2004 Golin/Harris poll found that 56% of consumers believe egg producers treat their animals humanely, while 30% believe the same of pork producers and only 19% for veal producers. As well, 56% of consumers agree with the need for government regulation to ensure animal welfare, even if it means food will cost more in the grocery store.
A May 2005 Decision Research poll of Arizona voters found that by a margin of 62% to 33%, voters say they would pass an initiative that banned the confinement of livestock in enclosures that don’t allow animals to turn around freely.
A September 2000 Zogby poll found that 86.2% of Americans agree that “crowding 8-10 chickens in cages, about the size of an open newspaper, so tightly that they cannot stretch their wings” is “unacceptable.”
A July 1997 Decision Research poll of Oregon voters found that voters would support an initiative by a margin of 75% to 19% mandating that farm animals have enough room to “turn around and stretch their limbs.”
An April 2003 Hill Research poll of California voters produced several interesting findings. The most relevant: Voters would support a measure to limit the “cruel confinement or tethering of pigs during pregnancy” by a margin of 49% to 32%.
A January 2003 Hill Research poll of Iowa voters found that by a margin of 65% to 25%, respondents favored a “moratorium on new large hog farms in Iowa while effects are being studied.”
A July 2000 Hill Research poll of Florida voters found that they would support a “limitation on pig confinement” on the ballot by a margin of 67% to 21%.
A March 2005 poll showed that by a margin of 83% to 17%, Americans support covering poultry under the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act.
A March 2001 Zogby poll of Americans found that 79% oppose the use of animals too sick or injured to walk (“downed” animals) in the human food supply.
An October 2004 Decision Research poll of Washington, D.C., residents found that by a significant margin (73% to 18% and 72% to 15%, depending on how the question was asked), participants favored requiring that any animal products making a welfare claim on the packaging must meet a specified humane standard.