Good farm animal welfare costs less than you think

High price perception is main barrier to high welfare
 

25.07.11

A bottle of wine, a DVD or a box of chocolates are just some of the treats we Brits indulge in every week.

But when it comes to the price of higher welfare food it seems many of us think that's too expensive.
 

Higher welfare food can cost less than a box of chocolates

In a new YouGov survey* to mark farm animal week (25 - 31 July), 70 per cent of UK adults cited cost as being a reason for not buying more higher welfare food - such as Freedom Food, free-range and organic.

However according to our Freedom Food scheme, the actual cost of a basket of higher welfare food can be as little as just over five pounds more than the cost of a non-higher welfare basket containing similar products** - less than the price of a box of chocolates.

The majority of people surveyed - 67 per cent - thought the price difference would be significantly more:

• 41 per cent thought the price difference would be £7 more
   
• 26 per cent thought the price difference would be £15 more.

'A small price to pay for good farm animal welfare'

Celebrity chef and farm animal welfare supporter, Antony Worrall Thompson, agrees that price perception can be a major barrier to buying higher welfare.

I often meet people that just assume higher welfare food means a much higher cost, and simply rule out these labels without even checking the price.

But as this survey shows, good welfare doesn't always have to cost as much as you might think.

A higher welfare chicken, such as Freedom Food, can cost just 86p more than a standard one – that's less than the price of a lottery ticket.

A small price to pay for good farm animal welfare.

 

Switch one for welfare during farm animal week 

The survey also revealed that 38 per cent of UK adults would be prepared to give up one of their regular treats - such as lottery tickets, a bottle of wine or a takeaway - and spend the money instead on higher welfare food.

In response to this news, Freedom Food is urging people during farm animal week to switch one item in their shopping basket for a higher welfare alternative.


Freedom Food spokesperson, Liam Kurzeja, explains:

 

It's a really simple message.

We want people to spare a thought for farm animals when shopping this week and switch one for welfare.

Many of us have already stopped buying eggs from hens kept in battery cages, choosing barn or free-range instead.

We would like people to go one step further and look for the higher welfare Freedom Food logo on products like pork, chicken and salmon.

Simply Ask 

Liam added:

"And if you are eating out, don't forget many pubs and restaurants now offer higher welfare food.

"You can find many that do by using our Simply Ask restaurant finder."

 

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How much do you know about farm animals?

How can you tell whether a pig is happy? Can sheep recognise members of their own flock? And do all ducks quack?

Take our fun quiz all about farm animals to find out! It's on the right-hand side of this page.

Plus take a listen to our All About Animals podcast episode dedicated to Freedom Food farm animal week. 
 

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* The survey by YouGov Plc was carried out online with a total sample size of 2,057 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 8 - 11 July 2011. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults aged 18+.

** Pricing is based on a comparison carried out with Sainsbury's online on 20 July 2011 between Freedom Food labelled products and similar non-higher welfare products.