U.S. Consumer Survey Reveals Lack Of Information On Animals
This study by researchers at Purdue University found that 14% of U.S. consumers have reduced their pork consumption by more than half (on average) due to animal welfare concerns. This is despite the fact that more than half report having no source of information for animal welfare and nearly 75% have not seen any news related to pig welfare. The findings show a disconnect between consumers and animal farming – a third of respondents had never visited such a farm.
Highlights from the study:
- About a third of respondents have never visited a farm that raises animals for food while another third had visited such a farm in the past five years.
- When it comes to animal welfare, consumers are most concerned about the processing phase, followed by farm production, transportation and live auctions.
- Responses regarding specific production practices are mixed and most people feel “neutral” about various practices.
- A majority of consumers (56%) say they do not have a source of information about animal welfare. Among those who do have a source, the most often cited were the Humane Society of the U.S., People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and the federal government.
- Nearly three-fourths of consumers had not seen media stories regarding pig welfare. About a fifth of respondents reported having seen pig welfare stories on TV and the internet. Only 8% reported having seen pig welfare stories in newspapers and magazines and only 5% had read about pig welfare in books.
- One in seven consumers have reduced pork consumption by more than half (on average) over the past three years due to animal welfare concerns.