Sicht der Bürgerinnen und Bürger auf Tierwohl: Wahrnehmung, Bewertung, Vorstellung und Finanzierung einer verbesserten Nutztierhaltung

The present study aimed to investigate the public's views on the treatment of key livestock species such as dairy cows, fattening pigs, broiler chickens, and laying hens. Both conventional and organic animal farming practices were examined. Surveys were conducted in three waves, and a significant portion of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the housing conditions for all animal species. Particularly emphasized was the dissatisfaction with the treatment of fattening pigs and broiler chickens, both in conventional and organic farms. Many respondents consider farmers to be key actors in promoting animal welfare and believe that they should play a central role in improving livestock conditions. An interesting finding from the surveys was that between 62 and 71% of respondents would be willing to allocate financial resources from other household expenses to improve conditions in livestock farming. This suggests a certain willingness of the public to invest in measures to promote animal welfare. The results of this study can be beneficial for various stakeholders, including farmers who wish to implement changes in livestock farming. Legislators could also use these findings as a basis for developing new regulations and guidelines to enhance animal farming practices. Overall, this work highlights that public opinions on livestock farming and animal welfare can play a crucial role in shaping the future of this industry. It underscores the importance of comprehensive dialogue and increased collaboration among various interest groups to steer livestock farming towards a more sustainable and animal-friendly direction.