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Farm Animal Welfare: Consumers’ Perception Toward Different Breeds of Animals in Italy
Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, Production, Territory, Agroenergy, University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
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Animals 2025, 15(23), 3406; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15233406
Submission received: 29 October 2025
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Revised: 17 November 2025
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Accepted: 19 November 2025
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Published: 25 November 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Empirical Animal and Veterinary Medical Ethics)
Simple Summary
This study investigates Italian consumers’ perceptions of farm animal welfare and the factors shaping these assessments. Using survey data from 391 respondents and ordered logit regression analysis, the research identifies significant differences in perceived welfare among species. Attitudinal factors consistently emerge as the strongest predictors of welfare evaluations, while respondents with professional experience in livestock production tend to view the welfare of cattle and swine more positively. The findings enhance understanding of public attitudes toward animal welfare and provide valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders seeking to align welfare standards with societal expectations and foster more ethical consumer behavior.
Abstract
Farm animal welfare has become a key focus in contemporary discussions on ethical food production and sustainable agriculture. Public discourse and evolving consumer attitudes reflect a growing and increasingly sophisticated awareness of animal welfare issues. This study investigates how Italian consumers evaluate the welfare of different farm animals and how such evaluations are influenced by socio-demographic factors, personal attitudes, and the level of knowledge in livestock production systems. Using survey data from 391 respondents and applying regression analysis, the study highlights significant variation in perceived welfare across species. In general, attitudinal variables are the most consistent and significant predictors of perceived animal welfare across all animal categories. Moreover, respondents with professional experience in livestock production tend to view the welfare of cattle and swine more favorably. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to align animal welfare standards with public expectations and to promote more informed, ethical consumer choices.
