Consumers Concerned About Dairy Cow Conditions

In late February, The Harris Poll, on behalf of AWI, conducted a national online survey of consumer attitudes regarding the treatment of dairy cows. The survey asked over 2,000 Americans to rate the acceptability of specific dairy production practices and indicate the extent to which a producer’s engagement in such practices might affect their own purchasing decisions. (Download the survey summary and methodology.)

Among the survey findings, roughly three in four Americans said they’d be less likely to buy a dairy product from a producer that denies cows and calves an opportunity for daily exercise (75%), houses cows in a way that does not allow them to easily stand up and lie down (77%), houses calves in a way that does not allow them to easily turn around (77%), or fails to provide appropriate pain relief during and after physical procedures that cause significant pain (such as castration).

AWI uses information gleaned from such surveys to urge industry groups to adopt and implement higher welfare standards. For example, AWI has consistently urged the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program to improve its welfare requirements to better align with consumer expectations. Among other things, AWI has encouraged the program to make compliance with all FARM Animal Care standards a prerequisite for certification. Producers currently need only comply with slightly over half the standards. How do Americans feel about that? According to our survey, 85% agree that if a dairy industry trade group certifies producers based on animal welfare standards, then producers should be required to meet all standards (not just a subset) before receiving certification.

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