A survey published by RSPCA Assured has reportedly found that 28% of consumers wishing to buy ethical animal welfare chicken are discouraged by its price and confusion over labelling.
The research, carried out by Real time Surveys and powered by Gorkana Surveys, was conducted on 1,000 adults on 21st December and found that 86% of them argued that “all the chickens we eat should be farmed to ethical animal welfare standards”.
In its report, RSPCA Assured has noted that its own study on the price of its 950g - 1.37kg corn-fed, free-range chicken sold at Sainsbury’s, correct as of on 30th March, has shown that “gram for gram, an RSPCA Assured chicken is over two times cheaper than a Cadbury Creme Egg”, based on a single 40g Cadbury Creme Egg.
RSPCA farm animal scientist, Sophie Elwes, said: “Ethical chicken does cost a bit more. But when you think an RSPCA Assured chicken is over two times cheaper - gram for gram - than a Cadbury’s Creme Egg or is about the same price as two high-street coffees, it sounds much more affordable and a small price to pay for better welfare.”
The second biggest barrier to people buying ethical animal welfare chicken is, according to the same research, “confusion over claims made on packaging”.
The RSPCA Assured scheme covers about 42 million terrestrial farm animals, with all members, including farms, processors, packers, hauliers and abattoirs, being subject to annual assessments.
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
