2023-10-19 11:25:02
Brussels, Oct 19 (EFE).- The protection of animal welfare is “essential” for more than eight out of ten Europeans, according to the results of a Eurobarometer survey published this Thursday.
84% of Europeans believe that the welfare of farm animals should be better protected in their country than now, and a similar number (83%) support limiting the transport time of animals.
Furthermore, almost three quarters of respondents (74%) support “better protection” of the welfare of companion animals in their country.
In the case of Spain, the figures are similar to the EU average, since 80% of those surveyed consider that farm animals should be protected “better”, 83% believe that the travel time of animals should be limited. live animals, and 74% also believe that pets should be protected more.
More than 90% of Europeans believe that farming and husbandry practices should meet “basic ethical requirements”, such as providing animals with sufficient space, food and water, environments adapted to their needs (mud, straw, etc.) and ensuring “proper management.”
The Eurobarometer also showed a high level of concern regarding the welfare of animals in slaughterhouses, with three quarters of respondents considering the practice of killing male chicks following birth to be “unacceptable”.
For their part, in Spain, 87% of those surveyed showed high concern for animals in slaughterhouses, only one point different from the EU average (88%).
In addition, “an overwhelming majority” was in favor of prohibiting cutting off certain parts of the animals’ bodies (tails, ears or beaks) unless “strictly necessary” and under anesthesia.
As for fur farming, more than half of respondents (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, 84% of Europeans believe that the current situation for animals “should change”, either by applying EU animal welfare standards to food imports or labeling food according to applied standards.
Even though 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 agricultural systems. with the animals.
The Eurobarometer was carried out between March 2 and 26, 2023, when a total of 26,376 people from the 27 EU Member States and from different social and demographic groups were interviewed.
The Commission is working on a review of EU legislation on animal welfare, and the proposal on the protection of animals during transport, one of the four chapters of the legislation, will be presented in December 2023. EFE
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