Time, CNN, And Gallup Poll On Mad Cow Disease
Measures public awareness and captures opinions of BSE (“Mad Cow Disease”), including influence of the discovery of BSE in the U.S. on personal decisions to eat meat.
This national poll revealed that most American consumers feel that the discovery of a single cow infected with BSE is only a “minor problem” and most have heard about the disease.
Survey question reads “Has concern over mad cow disease caused you to cut back or stop eating certain types of meat, or made no difference in the types or amount of meat you eat?”
- Cut back/Stop eating meat (17%)
- Made no difference (81%)
- Vegetarian (2%)
55% of Americans have heard a “great deal” about BSE, 33% have heard a “moderate “amount about it, and those who have heard more about the disease are no more likely to be concerned about the disease than those who have heard less.
6% feel that BSE is a “crisis,” 28% feel that it is a “major problem,” 53% say that it is a “minor problem,” while 48% were “not worried at all.” Half of all respondents were asked about concern for themselves or a family member becoming a BSE victim:
- Very or somewhat worried (16%)
- Not too worried (36%)
- Not worried at all (48%)
Half of all respondents were asked if they had reduced meat consumption:
- Cutting back on meat (17%)
- No difference (81%)
40% of women and 26% of men perceived the disease as a major problem.
14% of men and 20% of women have reduced meat consumption due to BSE concerns.