“Humane” Meat and Welfare Concerns as Gateways to Helping Animals

From Veganomics:

People Willing to Purchase “Humane” Meat Are More Likely to Go Vegetarian

A national U.S. poll carried out by the Humane Research Council found there was an overlap between vegetarians, semi-vegetarians, and people willing to spend more for “humane” animal products. Consumers who were willing to pay more for “humane” products were more likely than the general public to be willing to go vegetarian or semi-vegetarian. They were also more likely than the general public to already be vegetarian or semi-vegetarian (Humane Research Council, Advocating Meat Reduction). Similarly, a Dutch study indicated that people who bought free-range meat tended to eat less meat overall (de Boer et al. 2007).

Some animal advocates cast particularly dirty looks at people who have switched to organic, free-range, or cage-free animal products. These studies should come as encouraging news to them. “Humane” eaters are more likely than the general public to be willing to go vegetarian or cut back on meat consumption if shown why and how to do so.

Even the meat industry knows “Media Attention to Animal Welfare Has Negative Impact on Meat Demand.”