American Citizens’ Views of an Ideal Pig Farm
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....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2017-08-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/7/8/64 |
| _version_ | 1819018916486184960 |
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| author | Patrycia Sato Maria J. Hötzel Marina A.G. von Keyserlingk |
| author_facet | Patrycia Sato Maria J. Hötzel Marina A.G. von Keyserlingk |
| author_sort | Patrycia Sato |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T03:27:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-48c125849ae24196bd79904e0a5fac82 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T03:27:01Z |
| publishDate | 2017-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-48c125849ae24196bd79904e0a5fac822022-12-21T19:17:34ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152017-08-01786410.3390/ani7080064ani7080064American Citizens’ Views of an Ideal Pig FarmPatrycia Sato0Maria J. Hötzel1Marina A.G. von Keyserlingk2Animal Welfare Program, 2357 Main Mall, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, CanadaLaboratório de Etologia Aplicada e Bem-Estar Animal, Departamento de Zootecnia e Desenvolvimento Rural, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88034-001, BrazilAnimal Welfare Program, 2357 Main Mall, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, CanadaFood 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/7/8/64animal welfareattitudebusiness operationconsumerethicsnaturalness |
| spellingShingle | Patrycia Sato Maria J. Hötzel Marina A.G. von Keyserlingk American Citizens’ Views of an Ideal Pig Farm Animals animal welfare attitude business operation consumer ethics naturalness |
| title | American Citizens’ Views of an Ideal Pig Farm |
| title_full | American Citizens’ Views of an Ideal Pig Farm |
| title_fullStr | American Citizens’ Views of an Ideal Pig Farm |
| title_full_unstemmed | American Citizens’ Views of an Ideal Pig Farm |
| title_short | American Citizens’ Views of an Ideal Pig Farm |
| title_sort | american citizens views of an ideal pig farm |
| topic | animal welfare attitude business operation consumer ethics naturalness |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/7/8/64 |
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