News Pigs
Dutchman wants to keep pig farmer
A large part of the Dutch population has a positive impression of pig and poultry farming. She would like to maintain a strong pig sector for the country. This is apparent from research carried out on behalf of POV, NPV and LTO. The aim was to get an idea of the social support of both sectors.
In addition, a wide range of other matters were offered in the investigation. Questions were about how the Dutch population thinks about meat consumption, about political/social themes related to livestock farming and about issues related to nature, the environment and animal welfare. The survey was based on the answers of 2.117 respondents. The invitations were sent representatively in order to obtain an accurate representation of the Dutch population.
Retain sector but points for attention
Main conclusion from the study is that a large part of the interviewees is of the opinion that the Netherlands must ensure that the pig sector can remain strong in the future. Almost 70% of the respondents agree. No less than 95,3% of the respondents indicate that they eat meat. Even from the Party for the Animals voters, 72,1% of those polled eat meat.
Reasons to eat meat are because it is tasty (82,7%) and because it contains building materials (49%). Furthermore, 62,3% of those polled think that it is not up to politicians to restrict the consumption of pork. Many people also find an advisory role about certain dietary patterns (motivated by personal or political convictions) without scientific substantiation (54,4%).
Shrinkage of livestock distributed
According to the respondents, the popularity of meat and support for the sector does not necessarily mean that the sector does not have to change anything. For example, opinions are divided on whether or not to allow the pig population to shrink. To the question 'Do you think it is important that the pig sector in the Netherlands shrinks', only 22,6% answered with a clear no. On the other hand, 28,1% believe that the sector should shrink. Almost half of the respondents answered 'neutral' to this question.
In addition to the division about the size of the sector, the results also provide indications that Dutch consumers would like to see a number of improvements in animal welfare. For example, 29,6% of the participants find it unacceptable that 1 or 2 piglets die in the first four weeks of every litter that a sow has, 24,3% find it unacceptable that piglets are castrated under anesthetic if the market asks for it. About 23,9% of people find it unacceptable that sows are locked up for 4 weeks during the maternity period.
Steve Wissink
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