Consumer Perceptions of Dairy Welfare and Production: A Role for Vets in Public Education?
1. November 2009
Interview questionnaires were administered to the general public in central Scotland and Northern England
during summer 2007 to investigate consumer awareness of UK dairy production methods, welfare issues, dairy
product purchasing and recognition of 'quality assurance' product logos. Fifty percent of respondents gave UK
dairy animal welfare a positive rating. Recognition of individual quality assurance logos was poor, with 75% of
respondents stating that they did not intentionally seek to buy products with any of the logos. Respondents'
perceptions of good dairy welfare included: appropriate feeding, good stockmanship, plenty of space, freedom
to roam/free range and environmental cleanliness.
Keywords: Animal welfare, consumers, cows, dairy, labelling, organic
