A LABEL DESIGNED WITH THE CONSUMER IN MIND
Studies conducted among consumers to better understand the level of understanding and expectations on the issue of animal welfare provide the following information:
- Animal welfare has very strong resonance with current concerns, regarding both rearing and slaughtering conditions.
- Consumers expect to have access to reliable information on this subject, which could potentially modify their purchasing behaviour. A large number of consumers estimate that such information would be as important as quality schemes such as the organic or ‘Label Rouge’ label.
- The credibility of the initiative is essential. The process must be validated by third-party bodies and animal welfare experts. The animal welfare assessment must be carried out by external auditors.
98% of French people consider farm animal welfare to be important or very important(3).
96% of French people are in favour of labelling meat and dairy products to reflect the farming method (free-range or not).(4)
90% of Europeans consider that an animal welfare label would be useful for informing consumers on the conditions in which animals are treated.(5)
65% of Europeans believe they are not sufficiently informed about the conditions under which animals are farmed in the EU (5).
(3) Statista survey on animal protection among French people, 2015
(4) CASDAR ACCEPT project. Survey on the acceptability of livestock farming in France, 2014-2017
(5) European Commission report on animal welfare labeling, 2022. Factual summary report of
the online public consultation in support to the fitness check and revision of the EU animal welfare legislation.
Available at: https: //ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12400-Fitness-Check-of-the-EU-legislation-on-animal- welfare/public-consultation_en
A CLEAR AND LEGIBLE LABEL
Members of Association Étiquette Bien-Être Animal (the non-profit organisation managing the scheme’s standards) are convinced that providing consumers with information on animal welfare is essential and can help improve rearing conditions for animals. They work to develop a clear and legible scheme, and aim at contributing to the introduction of a harmonized animal welfare labelling system at national level in the medium term, and at European level in the longer term. The scheme provides consumers with clear, reliable information on the level of animal welfare associated with marketed products. It encourages consumers to purchase products that are more respectful of animal welfare, and producers to integrate animal protection into their practices. It is part of a joint commitment to enhance transparency on marketed products, and to support the animal sector towards better, more animal-friendly practices in terms of labelling, transport and slaughtering.
