Current Consumer Perceptions of Animal Welfare across Different Farming Sectors on the Island of Ireland
by
, and
Sharon Sweeney
1, 
Áine Regan
1,*,
Claire McKernan
2,
Tony Benson
2,
Alison Hanlon
3,* and
Moira Dean
2 1
Department of Agri-Food Business and Spatial Analysis, Rural Economy Development Programme, Teagasc, Mellows Campus, H65 R718 Athenry, Ireland
2
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, The Institute for Global Food Security, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, UK
3
School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Animals 2022, 12(2), 185; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12020185
Submission received: 16 November 2021
/
Revised: 21 December 2021
/
Accepted: 10 January 2022
/
Published: 13 January 2022
(This article belongs to the Section Animal Welfare)
Simple Summary
The well-being and welfare of animals on farms is a topic of interest to many people. On the island of Ireland, this issue has received increased attention because of political and governance changes, including Brexit and COVID-19. Policy-makers and industry are considering labelling schemes to inform the food consumer about welfare standards on farms. Focus groups and an online survey were carried out with members of the public on the island of Ireland to explore their awareness, perceptions, and attitudes toward farm animal welfare standards on farms in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Most consumers believed farm animal welfare standards were high, although different farming sectors were rated differently: beef and dairy farms were viewed more positively, and pig and poultry farms were viewed less positively. The living conditions of the animal, size and intensity of the farm, national standards and schemes, and visibility all influenced perceptions of welfare standards. The public also expressed a lack of knowledge and information on the topic. In developing new policies and labelling schemes, it is important to be apprised of the current awareness, attitudes, and perceptions that the public has regarding farm animal welfare standards, as identified in the current paper.
Abstract
There has been increased public interest and concerns in issues such as farm animal welfare (FAW) on the island of Ireland, stoked in part by political and governance changes, such as Brexit and COVID-19. Front-of-pack food labelling represents a primary information channel for many people. In advance of considering formalised food labelling schemes, specifically relating to FAW, it is important to ensure an up-to-date understanding of current consumer perceptions of FAW. With this aim, the current study utilised a mixed methodology. Nine focus group discussions (n = 41) and an online survey (n = 972) with food consumers in Ireland and Northern Ireland explored perceptions of FAW. Results suggest that overall perceptions of FAW are high, and consumers perceive FAW to have improved in the last decade. Quantitative (ANOVA) and qualitative results show variations in perception of FAW between sectors. Results from the focus group discussions identified factors underlying consumers’ perception of FAW: the living conditions of the animal, size and intensity of the farm, national standards and schemes, and visibility. Information insufficiencies and knowledge gaps were identified. The findings are discussed in relation to policy implications for the role of public engagement, front-of-pack welfare labelling, and quality assurance schemes.
