How do Brazilian citizens perceive animal welfare conditions in poultry, beef, and dairy supply chains?

Ricardo Guimarães De Queiroz,João Augusto Rossi Borges,Carla Heloisa De Faria Domingues,Maria Eugênia Andrighetto Canozzi,Clandio Favarini Ruviaro,Júlio Otávio Jardim Barcellos,Rodrigo Garófallo Garcia,Arda Yildirim

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0202062

Abstract

The aim of this study was to understand the perceptions of Brazilian citizens about the general conditions of animal welfare in the poultry, beef, and dairy supply chains. To reach this aim, an online survey was conducted. The analysis was based on descriptive statistics and three logistic regression models. Results of descriptive statistics showed that citizens in Brazil had mostly negative perceptions about the conditions of animal welfare in the poultry, beef, and dairy supply chains. Results of the logistic regression models showed that citizens with a background in agricultural/veterinary sciences, and citizens who reported a higher level of knowledge about poultry and dairy supply chains were more likely to perceive the general conditions of animal welfare in these two supply chains as being bad. Citizens who reported previous contact with poultry farms were also more likely to perceive the general conditions of animal welfare in the poultry supply chain as being bad. In addition, the perception that farmers are mainly focused on the economic aspect of farming and less on animal welfare, the perception that animals do not have a good quality of life while housed on farms, and the perception that animals are not adequately transported and slaughtered, negatively impact on perceptions about the general conditions of animal welfare in the poultry, beef, and dairy supply chains.

Highlights

In the last decades, there is the increasing public concern about the welfare of animals used for food production, with citizens, from developed countries, questioning the intensification of animal production systems and requiring that farm animals have a good life [1]
Citizens can pressure the government to implement laws to improve the welfare of animals used for food production, or they can choose to buy a certain type of products that guarantee good animal welfare standards [6]
In light of the foregoing, the aim of this study was to understand the perceptions of Brazilian citizens about the general conditions of animal welfare in the poultry, beef, and dairy supply chains

Summary

Introduction

There is the increasing public concern about the welfare of animals used for food production, with citizens, from developed countries, questioning the intensification of animal production systems and requiring that farm animals have a good life [1]. If we want to successfully implement strategies to improve the animal welfare standards, it is important to understand the concerns and perceptions of all stakeholders involved in the supply chains [1]. Citizens can pressure the government to implement laws to improve the welfare of animals used for food production, or they can choose to buy a certain type of products that guarantee good animal welfare standards [6]

Objectives

Methods

Results