Does the society perceive its own responsibility for modern pig production?

D. Weible; I.B. Christoph-Schulz; P. Salamon

Does the society perceive its own responsibility for modern pig production?

In: The ethics of consumption

Authors:

D. Weible

D. Weible Thünen Institute of Market Analysis, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany; daniela.weible@ti.bund.de

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I.B. Christoph-Schulz

I.B. Christoph-Schulz Thünen Institute of Market Analysis, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany; daniela.weible@ti.bund.de

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P. Salamon

P. Salamon Thünen Institute of Market Analysis, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany; daniela.weible@ti.bund.de

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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 386–392

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.3920/9789086867844_064

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Lately, the present system for agriculture and food production has been topic in many public discussions; especially modern animal husbandry does no longer match consumers’ expectations or societal needs. This paper concentrates on the society’s perspective regarding intensive pig production. By combining focus groups with a quantitative survey, a mixed method approach is pursued. Focus groups carried out in three German cities are to capture a variety of opinions and concerns among the population: perception, assessment, responsibility and expectation of the participants regarding pig production. Results showed participants‘ attention to the following topics: space available per pig was considered as insufficient and not species-appropriate, frequency of medications as too high, and in particular the prophylactic use of antibiotics as problematic. Also interaction among the lack of space, the higher use of medication and the behavioural disorders (e.g. pigs bite each other’s tails) were also discussed. Participants often criticized that animals are only seen as a technical product in a production system and there is no ‘real caring’ due to fact that pigs are means of generating profit. Regarding the question of ‘who is responsible for modern animal husbandry?’ it is striking, that respondents have also mentioned consumers’ responsibility as well as the role of the state. None of the participants expressed missing knowledge as reason for criticizing and simultaneously consuming meat from modern animal production. Based on these focus groups a quantitative online survey was developed to examine those topics in more detail and to quantify the outcome representatively. Based on 1,519 participants, the survey confirmed many of the critical views gained in the focus groups. Besides a very engaged group which is characterised by a strong criticism in general and a strong critical perception of current production systems, also a considerable group accepting modern animal husbandry was identified. The question about responsibility showed that more than 80% of the respondents stated to accept increasing prices as consequences of regulations which gain at animal friendly husbandry.

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The ethics of consumption

The citizen, the market, and the law

E-Book ISBN:: 9789086867844

Publisher:: Wageningen Academic

Print Publication Date:: 01 Nov 2013

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- Life Sciences

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Does the society perceive its own responsibility for modern pig production?

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The ethics of consumption

The citizen, the market, and the law

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