Food Miles, Free-Range, and Animal Welfare

2015 ◽  
pp. 59-67
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Food Miles

The Costs of Production in Systems Which Differ in Their Perceived Effects on Animal Welfare. 1. Eggs and Broilers

1997 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-171
Author(s):  
John Hill ◽  
Carol Asby ◽  
Ian Sturgess
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Broiler Production ◽  
Perceived Effects ◽  
Costs Of Production ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Equipment Costs

This paper considers what animal welfare is and the importance of animal welfare to the consumer. It also considers how different production systems are perceived in terms of kindness to animals, and outlines a method of assessing the costs of animal welfare by analysing the costs of intensive egg and broiler production and comparing them with costs of free-range production by using data from the UK. The extra costs associated with free-range production are due to higher labour, feed, building and equipment costs.

scholarly journals Consumer Acceptance of Meat from Animals Reared on Insect Meal as Feed

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katalin Szendrő ◽  
Mónika Zita Nagy ◽  
Katalin Tóth
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Ecological Footprint ◽  
Protein Production ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Consumer Acceptance ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Highly Educated ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Good Substitute

Insect protein production requires much less land, feed, and water, and thus has a much smaller ecological footprint than animal protein production, which is important for reducing global warming. Poultry, pigs, and fish consume insects in nature, so insect meal could be a good substitute for soybean and fishmeal as a protein source in diets. The aim of this study was to examine consumer opinion on meat that originated from animals whose diet contained insect meal. The study was conducted in Hungary in 2020 (N = 414). On a scale of 1–7, respondents gave much lower scores (3.96) to this product than that which originated from a free-range system (5.11; p < 0.001). Male, more highly educated, and 30–39 year-old respondents gave significantly higher scores than other groups. The most important factor in accepting insect meal in animal feed was “no risk”, while the least important factor was “replacement of Genetically Modified (GM) soybeans”. Since free-range animals also consume insects, the difference in the attitude of respondents was based on their aversion to insects, while accepting free-range as the best animal welfare system. Thus, more emphasis should be placed on the benefits of insect meal in animal feed in order to bring about awareness and acceptance.

Do consumers care about European food labels? An empirical evaluation using best-worst method

2017 ◽  
Vol 119 (12) ◽  
pp. 2698-2711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiziana de-Magistris ◽  
Azucena Gracia ◽  
Jesus Barreiro-Hurle
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Rating Scales ◽  
Consumer Preferences ◽  
Empirical Evaluation ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Food Labelling ◽  
Food Labels ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Food Miles ◽  
Labelling Schemes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate Spanish consumer preferences for several food-labelling schemes on semi-cured, pasteurised sheep milk cheese. In particular, the authors used three labels regulated by the European Union regulation (European organic logo, protected denomination of origin (PDO) and nutritional fat content), and the remaining four have been introduced to the European food market by private initiatives (local, carbon footprint, food miles and animal welfare). Design/methodology/approach A Best-Worst Discrete Choice approach was applied in Spain during Fall 2011 by administrating a survey to 549 consumers. Findings The results suggest that the most valued labels are the PDO, followed by the organic logo and the nutritional panel. The least valued are food-miles labelling and carbon foodprint labels, while local-origin labels and animal welfare are in the middle position. Originality/value This study is the first to value consumer preferences for cheese products bearing several public and private European food-labelling schemes since literature on consumer preferences for food labels has only dealt with a comparison of a few (two or at most three) food-labelling schemes. In addition, the added value of this paper is also the use of the BWC approach that has the advantage of providing the best way to discriminate the degree of importance given by respondents to each food labels by overcoming the problem of bias caused by differences in the use of rating scales.

scholarly journals What are they thinking? Consumer attitudes to meat production in Australia

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (12) ◽  
pp. 2345 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. J. Bray ◽  
E. A. Buddle ◽  
R. A. Ankeny
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Consumer Attitudes ◽  
Ethical Consumption ◽  
Farm Animal ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Farm Animal Welfare ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Socially Constructed ◽  
Citizen Attitudes ◽  
Industry Community

Meat production has come under increasing scrutiny from consumers and citizens who feel that certain practices are unethical and negatively affect farm-animal welfare. Animal welfare can be viewed as both a scientific and social concept, and purchasing products with animal welfare claims can be considered an act of ‘ethical consumption’. The present paper reviews research that examines consumer attitudes to animal welfare and highlights tensions between consumer and citizen attitudes and behaviours, and assumptions that are made within these studies. We present our own research into motivations to purchase free-range eggs as an example of research that attempts to unpack these assumptions, in particular, that such purchases are made out of concern for animal welfare. We present a further example of our own research that attempts to identify how attitudes to meat production are socially constructed. We conclude with recommended strategies to engage the broader community in discussions about animal production, so as to improve industry–community communication about farm-animal welfare in meat-production industries.

Food and Ethical Consumption

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel A. Ankeny
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Fair Trade ◽  
Genetically Modified Organisms ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
Ethical Consumption ◽  
Food Ethics ◽  
Organic Foods ◽  
Cause Related Marketing ◽  
Food Miles

Traditional stories about food consumption would indicate that over the course of history, choosing what to eat and drink has been a relative simple endeavor for most people, who often did not give much thought to their choices or the values underlying them. Today, our choices about what foodstuffs to consume are more than just a simple attempt to fill an empty stomach. This article examines contemporary food ethics, ethical food consumerism, and "ethical food consumption." It argues that contemporary and historic discussions of food ethics differ in terms of connection between identity and ethical food choices, which in turn has reshaped what we know about ethical food choices. The article first discusses vegetarianism and veganism before turning to animal welfare, local consumption, organic foods, food products that are free of genetically modified organisms, food miles and sustainable/green products, boycotts and cause-related marketing, fair trade, and overconsumption and freeganism.

scholarly journals Microbiological vulnerability of eggs and environmental conditions in conventional and free-range housing systems

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Arantes Galvão ◽  
Alexander Welker Biondo ◽  
Fábio Sossai Possebon ◽  
Thiago Luis Belém Spina ◽  
Letícia Borges Nunes Correia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Production Plant ◽  
Conventional System ◽  
Salmonella Spp ◽  
Standard Methods ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Housing Systems

Although Brazil is currently the world’s eighth largest egg exporter, the shift of consumers towards free-range eggs may present new sanitary challenges. This study aims to evaluate the microbiological vulnerability of eggs and environmental conditions in a farm certified for both conventional and free-range systems using two standard methods (enterobacteria counting and Salmonella spp. survey). Two high-producing farms were selected for this study, one under both conventional and free-range systems at the same place as the test farm, and another under conventional system only as a control farm. Enterobacteriaceae counts were determined for eggshells; and detection of Salmonella spp. was conducted in eggs, nest box material, feeder, and sponge samples from water dispensers, feeders, production plant, besides water samples from nipple dispensers and artesian well. The average enterobacteria count (log CFUmL-1) was 0.09 for conventional and 1.73 for free-range systems (p < 0.001). While Salmonella spp. was not detected in the conventional system but was present in one feeder and three eggshells from the free-range system. Therefore, the conventional system demonstrated better hygiene-sanitary status than the free-range one. Moreover, controlling food safety should always be considered when improving animal welfare.

scholarly journals Are Consumers’ Egg Preferences Influenced by Animal-Welfare Conditions and Environmental Impacts?

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (22) ◽  
pp. 6218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahmani ◽  
Kallas ◽  
Pappa ◽  
Gil
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Random Parameter ◽  
Heterogeneous Preferences ◽  
Market Prices ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Free Range

We conducted a labelled discrete choice experiment (DCE) to assess consumers’ preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for fresh hens’ eggs produced via different production systems (caged, barn, free range, or organic). We estimated purchase intentions and WTP for different possible reductions (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and water use in the egg production systems. Data were collected using an online open-ended questionnaire completed by a representative sample of 1045 Spanish egg consumers. The results of a random parameter logit (RPL) model showed heterogeneous preferences for different types of eggs with higher marginal utility and WTP for a production system ensuring higher animal welfare level, such as free-range eggs. However, consumers showed a lower preference for organic eggs at the actual market prices since they were unwilling to pay for this category of eggs. Moreover, there were positive marginal WTPs for reductions in GHG emissions and water use, but only for significant reductions (20% or 30%) with respect to the current situation. Potential buyers for free-range eggs were identified to be persons under 40 years old, persons with a monthly income of more than €1500, and persons who were pro-environment. Our findings provide producers, sellers and policy makers with useful information that may guide them in the development of successful communication and pricing strategies.

scholarly journals Effects of Outdoor Stocking Density on Growth, Feather Damage and Behavior of Slow-Growing Free-Range Broilers

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 688
Author(s):  
Hannah N. Phillips ◽  
Bradley J. Heins
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
High Density ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Tail Feather ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Slow Growing

Access to pasture is a main benefit of free-range broiler housing systems, yet the level of outdoor stocking density on broiler animal welfare remains unsettled. The growth, feather damage, pasture ranging and behaviors were assessed for 150 mixed-sex, slow-growing Freedom Rangers from 5 to 11 weeks of age of with free access to either a high outdoor stocking density pasture (0.5 m2 per bird) or a low outdoor stocking density pasture (2.5 m2 per bird). The probability (mean, 95% CI) of tail feather damage was greater for the high-density (23.1%, 16.3 to 31.7%) compared to the low-density group (11.9%, 7.1 to 19.3%). The percent of observations resulting in sunbathing and aggressive attacks (i.e., pecking and fighting behaviors) were greater for the high-density (1.0%, 0.6 to 1.8% and 0.5%, 0.2 to 1.3%, respectively) compared to the low-density group (0.3%, 0.1 to 0.7% and 0.1%, 0.0 to 0.4%, respectively). Furthermore, an interaction between treatment and age indicated that birds in the high-density group displayed greater stretching (during weeks 7 to 10) and panting (during weeks 6 and 9). Results of this study suggest that additional outdoor pasture space may be positively associated with broiler welfare.

scholarly journals A public appetite for poultry welfare regulation reform: Why higher welfare labelling is not enough

2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 238-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Parker ◽  
Gyorgy Scrinis ◽  
Rachel Carey ◽  
Laura Boehm
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Consumer Choice ◽  
Government Regulation ◽  
Current Regulation ◽  
The Public ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Standards And Guidelines ◽  
Regulation Reform ◽  
Public Concerns

This article argues that the growth of free-range labelled egg and chicken shows that the public wish to buy foods produced via higher welfare standards. It summarises the main reasons for dissatisfaction with the current regulation of animal welfare standards in Australia and shows that labelling for consumer choice is not enough to address public concerns. It critically evaluates the degree to which recently proposed new animal welfare standards and guidelines for poultry would address these problems and concludes that the new standards are not sufficient and that more responsive, effective and independent government regulation of animal welfare is required.

scholarly journals Consumer perceptions of free-range laying hen welfare

2016 ◽  
Vol 118 (8) ◽  
pp. 1999-2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle Claire Pettersson ◽  
Claire Alexandra Weeks ◽  
Lorna Rachel Maven Wilson ◽  
Christine Janet Nicol
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Likert Scale ◽  
Laying Hen ◽  
Consumer Perceptions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Free Range ◽  
On Farm ◽  
High Welfare

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand which factors and resources free-range egg consumers believe are important for hen welfare. Design/methodology/approach – An online survey was distributed via the mailing list of a UK free-range egg brand receiving 6,378 responses. The survey was mostly five-point Likert-scale based. The same survey was also distributed to a group of animal welfare specialists receiving 34 responses. Findings – Respondents bought free-range eggs because hens are “happier” (74.2 per cent) and “healthier” (69.0 per cent) and because they believed such eggs to taste better (57.9 per cent). They rated all the suggested factors that might contribute to hen welfare as “important” or “very important” (on average) but believed outside access and fresh air to be most important. Respondents rated the suitability of resources relating to behavioural needs high (“suitable” or “very suitable”) indoors and shelter as the most suitable outdoors. Consumers differed from welfare specialists in their views on factors contributing to hen welfare, but their views on resource suitability were similar. Research limitations/implications – The sample was biased towards free-range egg consumers who had expressed an interest in a brand marketed as high welfare. Originality/value – This is the first study to ask consumers what they consider to be important for hen welfare and how they think hen welfare can be improved. Because consumers can affect on-farm welfare through their purchasing habits assessing the degree of agreement between consumers and animal welfare specialists is important.

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