On World Consumer Rights Day (March 15), Animal Equality revealed the results of a survey that finds overwhelming support from Indian consumers for stronger animal protection policies from food companies.
A new survey by Animal Equality, an animal protection organisation based in Pune, reveals that 86% of people agree that animals killed for food should not be tortured. In addition:
- 94% people felt that food companies should have a comprehensive animal welfare policy.
- 82% said that they will choose a food company which follows animal welfare standards over a company that doesn’t.
- 78% agree that the government should make stronger laws so that animals used for food are not tortured.
This survey was carried out by IPSOS among 1,002 urban adults (male and female) in 11 cities of India – namely, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Guwahati, Jaipur, Mumbai, Pune, and Shillong. It was a mobile-based survey conducted in December 2017.
Many of these food companies in the hospitality, restaurant, food manufacturing and food service sectors abroad have introduced animal welfare policies due to the growing consumer demand to have animal welfare standards. These policies not only prevent the unnecessary suffering of animals but are also in line with the companies’ sustainability, environment and other Corporate Social Responsibilities policies.
As referenced in the Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW) report, 73% of companies in the world now have published farm animal welfare policies (compared to just 46% in 2012) and 65% of companies have published targets on farm animal welfare (up from 26% in 2012).
“Companies across the world are acting on consumer demands, but India is lagging behind. We have reached out to more than 50 food companies requesting them to introduce policies to reduce the unnecessary suffering of animals,” said Amruta Ubale, Executive Director of Animal Equality.
She added, “International brands like McDonald’s have these policies in several developed and developing countries but are not working to introduce the same policy in India despite clear public sentiment.”
Much of the animal agriculture business in India follows the factory farm model. Factory farming is not just cruel to animals but also devastating to the environment. Intensive animal production is a key contributor to air, water and soil pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation.
Extreme weather events are also costing India $9-10 billion annually and climate change is projected to impact agricultural productivity with increasing severity from 2020 to the end of the century. “There is no time to wait,” says Ubale. “The health of animals, people and our environment depend on the action we take today to save our tomorrow. Clearly, people are demanding action and now it is the companies’ turn to act.”