RSPCA: 80 per cent of people believe animal welfare is key in a civilised society, says RSPCA

Monday, 10 November 2008 12:00 AM

Eight out of 10 people believe that animal welfare is a key priority for a civilised society, according to new figures produced by the RSPCA - compared to just five out of 10 who believed it two years ago.(1)

In addition, almost six out of 10 shoppers are now concerned about animal suffering when buying chicken - as many as those expressing concern about human rights or the environment.(1)

David Bowles, Head of External Affairs at the RSPCA, said the figures were part of an annual study conducted by the charity to determine how much animals were suffering or being exploited in England and Wales.

"These figures are extremely impressive as they show that the plight of animals is a hot topic at the moment. The campaigns from Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall earlier this year means that higher-welfare chicken is literally on the tip of people's tongues," he said.

Many figures are not as positive however and reveal some areas of major concern. Statistics show the number of dog fights being reported to the RSPCA has become 15 times more prevalent - from 24 to 358 - since 2004.(2)

Other figures from the report include:

• Despite recent improvements, 85% of chickens bred for meat are still raised in poor conditions, and 62% of eggs are still produced by caged chickens.(3)
  
• Nearly 30,000 reptiles caught in the wild were brought into the UK as pets last year - a five-fold increase since 2000.(4)
  
• At least a fifth of dolphins and porpoises washed up on our beaches are killed by tuna fishing nets.(5)
  
• Around 3,000 primates are used in experiments every year in the UK - and 10,000 in the EU - a figure that shows no sign of reducing.(6)

The report - The Welfare State: Measuring Animal Welfare in the UK 2007 - is the RSPCA's unique and groundbreaking snapshot of animal welfare data. Each of the 'indicators' in the report measure a year-on-year change, and measure whether things have improved, worsened, or not changed - using a system of green, red and amber traffic lights.

This year there are five green lights, five red and 18 amber. There are also five 'grey' lights, which show that at present there is insufficient or no data available to accurately measure the indicator - but where the RSPCA believes there should be.

"While the public are clearly concerned about animal welfare, this report shows that there are many areas in which we need to vastly improve," said David Bowles. "We've all got an animal welfare footprint - whether we be individuals, governments or companies - so we need to seize the moment, make the changes that people are crying out for, and ensure that we are the generation that delivers dramatic improvements in the way we treat animals."

For more information, to test your animal footprint or to read the report, see www.animalwelfarefootprint.com.

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Notes to Editors:

For more information, please contact the RSPCA press office. Electronic and paper copies of The Welfare State: Measuring Animal Welfare in the UK 2007 are available upon request. A PDF copy of the report can also be downloaded from www.animalwelfarefootprint.com.

References:

1. Ipsos MORI poll: Results based on interviews with 2,110 adults aged 15+ in Great Britain, face-to-face-interviews between 1-7 February 2008
2. Figures from RSPCA
3. Figures from Defra
4. Figures from CITES Trade Database, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge
5. Figures from Institute of Zoology
6. Figures from Home Office and European Commission

RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288 Fax: 0303 123 0099
Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel 0870 0555500 and ask for pager number 828825
Email: press@rspca.org.uk Website: www.rspca.org.uk

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