Eurogroup for Animals - Shopping for change

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Consumer concerns

Business benefits

Industry Standards

Eurogroup Standards

A market opportunity

BUSINESS BENEFITS

Across the EU billions of animals are farmed for their meat and other products - most are farmed intensively. Although these methods traditionally result in cheaper production costs and cheaper products, they also cause distress and suffering to animals.

Increasingly, Europeans consider animal welfare as a key factor when choosing farm animal products. The 2007 Eurobarometer survey reveals that 62% of EU citizens would be prepared to pay more for animal welfare products and that a massive 57% would pay more for welfare-friendly eggs.

Farmers and the food industry are not meeting the demands of a large number of consumers, or taking advantage of the opportunities the demand for high welfare products presents.

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Quantity to quality

Following pressure from consumers and citizens, the importance of high animal welfare in food production has been recognised by the recent reform of the Common Agriculture Policy. Measures are now in place to promote the move from quantity to quality.

Furthermore in early 2005, the European Commission adopted a Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals which includes as an action point "working with retailers and producers to facilitate improved consumer trust and awareness of current farming practices and thus more informed purchasing decisions".

Eurogroup for Animals believes that farmers, retailers, food producers and all parts of the food chain in the EU should consider that high animal protection:

	is a competitive advantage and part of the criteria of quality production
	is what EU consumers want
	leads to robust and unstressed, healthier animals
	is beneficial for rural livelihoods

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals

Action Plan policy area on this site

Common Agricultural Policy on this site