Abstract
Simple SummaryThe public, who also make up the largest proportion of consumers of animal products, often criticize farm animal industries in regards to their care and handling of farm animals. The U.S. swine industry has not been exempt from such criticisms. The aim of this study was to explore the views of the people not affiliated with the swine industry on what they perceived to be the ideal pig/pork farm, and their associated reasons. Through an online survey, participants were invited to respond to the following open-ended question: “What do you consider to be an ideal pig/pork farm and why are these characteristics important to you?”. Respondents considered animal care, profitability, farm size, compliance with sanitary, environmental rules and regulations, farm cleanliness and sanitary standards, and workers’ rights and welfare important, but also raised concerns relating to pigs’ quality of life including space to move, feeding, contact with outdoors or nature, absence of pain, suffering and mistreatment. Perspectives were also raised regarding the ideal farm as a profitable business operation, clean, and with optimal sanitary conditions. Respondents also emphasized naturalness, frequently stating that pigs should have access to the outdoors, and rejected the use of hormones, antibiotics, and other chemicals for the purposes of increasing production.Food animal production practices are often cited as having negative animal welfare consequences. The U.S. swine industry has not been exempt from such criticisms. Little is known, however, about how lay citizens who are not actively engaged in agricultural discussions, think about swine production. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the views of people not affiliated with the swine industry on what they perceived to be the ideal pig/pork farm, and their associated reasons. Through an online survey, participants were invited to respond to the following open-ended question: “What do you consider to be an ideal pig/pork farm and why are these characteristics important to you?”. Generally respondents considered animal welfare (e.g., space, freedom to move, and humane treatment), respondents considered the business operation role important for pork production (e.g., profitability, compliance with sanitary, environmental rules and regulations, and workers′ rights), and naturalness (e.g., natural feeding, behaviours and life) important for pork production. Concerns relating to pigs’ quality of life included space to move, feeding, contact with outdoors or nature, absence of pain, suffering and mistreatment. Perspectives were also raised regarding the ideal farm as a profitable business operation, clean, and with optimal sanitary conditions. Respondents also emphasized naturalness, frequently stating that pigs should have access to the outdoors, and rejected the use of hormones, antibiotics, and other chemicals for the purposes of increasing production. In summary, the findings of this study suggest that the U.S. swine industry should strive to adopt animal management practices that resonate with societal values, such as ensuring humane treatment, and the failure to do so could risk the sustainability of the swine industry.
Highlights
As the United States (U.S.) came out of the Great Depression food shortages were addressed by improving efficiencies of food animal production, resulting in dramatic changes in the way farm animals were housed [1]
Respondents were from 30 U.S States
The participants declared themselves largely unfamiliar with pork production; 86.2% of respondents from the pig cohort (C1), and 85.7% of respondents from the pork cohort (C2) self reported as not being involved with pig farming
Summary
As the United States (U.S.) came out of the Great Depression food shortages were addressed by improving efficiencies of food animal production, resulting in dramatic changes in the way farm animals were housed [1]. Intensive pork production has come under scrutiny from stakeholders external to the industry; these concerns are focused primarily on the quality of life afforded to pigs [5,6], and have resulted in dramatic changes in how pigs are housed and cared for in the European Union [7]. Despite these changes, producer-led changes in other parts of the world have been slow, with many farmers defending their current practices, often arguing that urban citizens are ignorant of farm practices, and should not be consulted [5]. Retailers and processors have become globally active participants in the discussion of how farm animals should be cared for on farms (see review [8]); these initiatives have no doubt increased public awareness and ensuing concerns for farm animal welfare in the U.S [9]
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