Attitudes of consumers towards animal welfare in Ukraine and Azerbaijan

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the views and opinions of consumers in Ukraine and Azerbaijan regarding the importance of animal welfare. A sample of 147 respondents in Ukraine and 105 in Azerbaijan was included in the study. Ukrainian consumers associated animal welfare with good housing and good feeding, whereas Azerbaijani consumers mainly considered the importance of good feeding, and ranked housing as less important. Only a small proportion of the consumers from both countries considered natural behaviour, happiness and other positive emotions as important. Older consumers expressed higher concerns about animal welfare compared to younger consumers. The majority of consumers from both countries (93% in Ukraine and 85% in Azerbaijan, p=0.058) believed that the welfare of livestock animals in their country should be improved. The major issues identified by the consumers included animal housing, feeding quality and lack of governmental support. Our results highlighted the importance of animal welfare among consumers in Ukraine and Azerbaijan. However, the understanding of animal welfare and the factors affecting it varied among consumers, which underlines the necessity of education regarding the conditions for livestock, animal welfare and animal rights. [...].