2023-10-20 06:37:22
Protecting animal welfare is essential for Europeans, as shown by the results of a Eurobarometer survey. The Commission has been acting to improve animal welfare for more than 40 years, progressively improving the lives of animals and adopting welfare standards in legislation that are among the strictest in the world. This survey shows the importance of this issue for citizens across the EU.
A large majority of Europeans (84%) believe that the welfare of farm animals should be better protected in their country than now. A similar number (83%) support limiting the transportation time of animals. Almost three quarters of respondents (74%) support better protection of the welfare of companion animals in their country.
More than 90% of Europeans consider that livestock practices should meet basic ethical requirements. These include offering animals sufficient space, sufficient food and water, environments adapted to their needs (mud, straw, etc.) and ensuring proper management. The survey also showed a high level of concern for the welfare of animals in slaughterhouses.
Three-quarters of respondents considered the practice of killing male chicks following birth unacceptable, while an overwhelming majority were in favor of prohibiting cutting off certain parts of the animals’ bodies (tails, ears, beaks, etc.) unless it is Strictly necessary and with anesthesia. As for fur farming, more than half of those surveyed (57%) believe it should be strictly banned in the EU, while nearly a third (32%) believe it should only be maintained under better welfare conditions.
When it comes to food imports from non-EU countries, more than eight in ten Europeans (84%) believe that the current animal welfare situation should change, either by applying EU animal welfare standards EU to food imports or labeling food according to applied standards.
Although the interviews were conducted in March 2023, when food prices were already very high due to inflation, 60% of respondents indicated that they would be willing to pay more for products from environmentally friendly livestock systems. animal welfare. Around a quarter (26%) would be willing to pay up to 5% more for animal welfare-friendly food.
The Eurobarometer was carried out between 2 and 26 March 2023. A total of 26,376 respondents were interviewed from all 27 EU Member States and from different social and demographic groups. The methodology used was face-to-face interviews in people’s homes or at their doors, in the national language, except in Malta, Czechia, Denmark and Finland, where some interviews were conducted using computer-assisted video interviews.
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