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The consumer, the citizen and animal welfare

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2018

R. Layton
Affiliation:
Apple Trees, Grims Lodge Farm, Coombe Bissett, Salisbury SP5 4LP
R. Bonney
Affiliation:
Apple Trees, Grims Lodge Farm, Coombe Bissett, Salisbury SP5 4LP
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Abstract

In answer to the question ‘who writes the rules?’ relative to animal welfare the only accurate answer there can be is that the animal writes the rules. However in deciding the current animal welfare standards adopted by society the consumer plays a key rôle as the retail market is constantly working to meet the consumer's concerns. The consumer has a real, if often uninformed, concern regarding animal welfare. Animal welfare science clearly demonstrates that current systems are often at odds with the needs of animals. Ethical sectors of the food chain will put in place systems which reflect knowledge of animal welfare science as far as is currently possible and not merely the consumer perception in this area. The ability to deliver good animal welfare depends upon the willingness of the food chain to provide and the consumer to pay. The development of assurance schemes which truly address animal welfare science, translated into accurate labelling and backed by an awareness programme will make it easy for consumers to take the responsibility which, as citizens, they wish to do. We will then have an accurate picture of society's concerns to which the food chain can respond.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1999

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References

Further reading

Broom, D. M. and Johnson, K. G. 1993. Stress and animal welfare. Chapman and Hall, London.Google Scholar
Singer, P. 1975. Animal liberation. Jonathon Cape Ltd.Google Scholar
Spedding, C. R. W. 1996. Agriculture and the citizen. Chapman and Hall, London.Google Scholar
Webster, A. J. F. 1995. Animal welfare: a cool eye towards Eden. Blackwell Science Ltd, Oxford.Google Scholar
Webster, A. J. F. 1997. Animals and husbandry. Seventh annual lecture of The Royal Agricultural Society of England. RASE, Stoneleigh.Google Scholar