Midwesterners would pay more for meat from humanely raised animals

OHIO - A recent Ohio State University survey found that 92% percent of Ohioans say they agreed or strongly agreed that it is important for farm animals to be well cared for. Eighty-five percent said the quality of life for farm animals is important even when they are used for meat.

In addition, 81% agreed that "the well-being of farm animals is just as important as the well-being of pets," and 75% agreed with the statement that "farm animals should be protected from feeling physical pain."

Respondents with a more rural background were more utilitarian in their view of animals, weighing costs and benefits, while others gave more weight to emotional, moral and ethical concerns. Because larger proportions of Ohioans now live in urban areas, this finding could have consequences for the meat production industry, the researchers said.

More than half of survey respondents said they would pay more for meat, poultry, or dairy if it were labeled as coming from humanely treated animals. Of those, 43% said they would pay 10% more, and 12% said they would pay 25% more.

Source: Agriculture Online

10 May 2005