Faunalytics.org makes use of JavaScript to operate fully, but Javascript is disabled in your browser
Image by Unsplash user rawpixel
a female farmer getting hay for the horses

Consumers’ Strange Views Of Farmers’ Role

Summary By: | Published: July 20, 2012
Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes
FavoriteLoadingSave to My Library
EXTERNAL STUDY This is a summary of an external study
This article summarized a survey on U.S. consumers attitudes towards farmers and the food system in the U.S.

A survey by The Center for Food Integrity shows an alarming number of U.S. consumers are unaware of the role farmers play in providing food to the world. The findings, including some relating to the treatment of farm animals, may bolster those claiming agriculture must do a better job of getting its message to the masses.

Among the findings, this survey found that “consumers believe it’s more important for groups in the food system to do the right thing from an ethical perspective than to demonstrate their level of technical skills and abilities.” In addition, consumers’ opinions and those of family members and friends are the most influential of any group in the food system.

The top concerns of respondents include food safety, nutrition, environment, humane farm animal treatment, and worker care. In terms of responsibility for food safety, consumers hold farmers the most accountable, then food companies and processors. With respect to environmental protection, people consider themselves, federal regulatory agencies, then farmers the most responsible. In terms of farm animals, farmers/producers and then advocacy groups are considered to be the most responsible.

Also, 57% of respondents believe that people “like themselves” are the most competent to answer questions about farm animals, which is relatively high considering the lack of knowledge that the general public has concerning these issues.

Summary of Agreement Statements:

  1. ” I trust food produced in the U.S. more than I trust food produced outside the U.S.” (54% strongly agree, 9% strongly disagree)
  2. “U.S. food is among the most abundant in the world today.” (49% strongly agree, 8% strongly disagree)
  3. “Food grown organically is more healthful than conventionally grown food.” (35% strongly agree, 16% strongly disagree)
  4. “U.S. food is among the safest in the world today.” (33% strongly agree, 16% strongly disagree)
  5. “U.S. food is amongst the most affordable in the world today.” (26% strongly agree, 19% strongly disagree)
  6. “I am confident in the safety of food I eat.” (26% strongly agree, 20% strongly disagree)
  7. “I trust that what is on a product’s label is what’s actually in the product.” (27% strongly agree, 24% strongly disagree)
  8. “Farm animals raised for food should be treated the same way household pet owners treat their pets.” (30% strongly agree, 26% strongly disagree)
  9. “There is more nutritious food available today then when I was growing up.” (28% strongly agree, 26% strongly disagree)
  10. “I am as confident in the safety of the food I eat as I was a year ago.” (28% strongly disagree, 25% strongly agree)
  11. “U.S. meat is derived from humanely treated animals.” (27% strongly disagree, 18% strongly agree)
  12. “I have access to all the information I want about where my food comes from, how it was produced and its safety.” (37% disagree)
Faunalytics
Meet the Author:
Faunalytics is a nonprofit research organization dedicated to helping animals by providing useful information to advocates to help them increase their impact.

Citations:

Center for Food Integrity, Center for Food Integrity, 2007 United States (National)

Tags:

Animals Used for Food Attitudes English Environment Factory Farming Human Health Meat / Animal Product Consumption Farm Animals

Related Posts

a farmer standing next to his cows

Survey Results On Farmers, Ranchers And Consumers

This article summarizes a national survey of U.S. consumers, farmers and ranchers on topics they found most conflicting, attitudes on the direction of U.S. agriculture and their knowledge on farming practises.

In the Spotlight
dairy cows lying down in the grass

Farmers’ And Consumers’ Perceptions Of Animal Welfare In Livestock Breeding

Farmers generally perceive farmed animal breeding positively, while consumers generally view it negatively but both groups display ambivalence compared to their attitudes.

In the Spotlight
a farmer in front of a red tractor

Public Shows Support For British Farmers

A majority (75%) of British consumers have favourable attitudes towards farmers.

In the Spotlight
two white chickens standing next to each other

Eating Chickens Is On The Rise, But Consumers Want Humane Options

Eating chicken is more popular than ever, but consumers are increasingly aware of the welfare problems associated with factory farming, and most want the chickens they eat to be reared humanely.

In the Spotlight

Consumer Views On Pig Welfare In Europe

Research shows that consumers value naturalness and meat quality over pig welfare. More work needs to be done to put pig welfare on the social agenda.

In the Spotlight
a factory farm worker carelessly picking up chickens by their legs

Farmers And Ranchers Given Good Marks

This survey has found that Americans view farmers and ranchers in a strongly positive light with 93% considering farmers and ranchers an essential aspect of American life.

In the Spotlight
a sheep outside

Consumers Attitudes About Animal Welfare

Survey results covering attitudes on animal welfare, meat consumption, favorability and influence of different groups such as veterinarians and activists.

In the Spotlight
a strawberry on a reflective surface

U.S. Consumers More Concerned About Food Safety Than War In Iraq Or Climate Change

The concern for global warming and the Iraq War is lower among U.S. consumers than the safety of the food they eat.

In the Spotlight
guinea pig in a small wooden house

The Strange Animal Situation Test

Researchers have used a standardized test to determine human reactions to meeting an unknown animal. The researchers used a case study of a guinea pig, where they presented four distinct reactions to meeting the guinea pig.

In the Spotlight
a person holding and petting a large rat

Views On The Use Of Animals In Scientific Research

Animal experimentation is declining in popularity in the U.K., but the majority of the population still continue to support animal testing on some conditions.

In the Spotlight
a farmer standing on a field

Farmers And Animal Welfare In Cattle Farming

This research of cattle farms asked questions on their attitudes towards animal welfare and providing good care for farmed animals.

In the Spotlight
farmed heaving working and heaving wheath around

Public Has High Opinion Of U.S. Farmers, NCGA-Funded Survey Says

The American public has a high opinion of farmers and ranchers, and believe that public health is a personal matter when it comes to diet and exercise choices.

In the Spotlight
Faunalytics uses cookies to provide necessary site functionality and to help us understand how you use our website. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our privacy policy.
I Agree
meerkat-emails.jpg

Don’t Miss a Thing

Faunalytics delivers the latest and most important information directly to your inbox. Choose what topics you want to see and how often you get our emails, and you can unsubscribe anytime.