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Perception of animal welfare and its certification system by Brazilian consumers and dairy farmers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 February 2022

Vinicius Cardoso Comin
Affiliation:
Centro Universitário Central Paulista (UNICEP), São Carlos 13568-250, Brazil
Helena Fagundes Karsburg
Affiliation:
Integral Comunicação, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Bruna Maria Salotti de Souza
Affiliation:
Departamento de Tecnologia e Inspeção de Produtos de Origem Animal, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Henrique Meiroz de Souza Almeida
Affiliation:
Univ. Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal, Brazil
Ligia Maria Neira
Affiliation:
Centro Universitário Central Paulista (UNICEP), São Carlos 13568-250, Brazil
Gabriel Augusto Marques Rossi*
Affiliation:
University Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, Brazil
*
Author for correspondence: Gabriel Rossi, Email: gabriel.rossi@uvv.br

Abstract

The practices adopted in dairy farms can positively or negatively affect the perception of consumers. To meet consumer expectations and improve the productivity of dairy farms, a welfare certification system has recently been initiated in Brazil. In this research communication we describe the perceptions of Brazilian consumers and farmers regarding the implementation of welfare certification systems and the most common practices that affect animal welfare on dairy farms. For this purpose, two semi-structured questionnaires were used: one applied to 409 consumers and the other to 158 dairy farmers. The results demonstrate that consumers are concerned with the adoption of welfare practices in animal husbandry at dairy farms, mainly on topics related to movement restriction and cow-calf separation. Thus, the majority of consumers state that they are willing to pay more for welfare-certified dairy products. In addition, most dairy farmers are interested in adopting a welfare certification system, especially if it could add value to the raw milk sold to industries. Veterinarians and animal scientists are important for disseminating animal welfare recommendations, and the consequences of its improper adoption need to be emphasized. Finally, dairy farms need improvements regarding environmental hygiene, thermal conditions, animal husbandry, health, and milking processes. In conclusion, consumers and farmers are interested in welfare systems and their certification, and there is a need for stakeholders to make welfare certification a reality in the Brazilian dairy supply chain.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Hannah Dairy Research Foundation

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