Naslov
Consumer’s opinion on animal welfare and pig castration in Croatia

Autori
Djurkin Kušec, Ivona ; Kušec, Goran ; Guerrero, Luis ; Font-i- Furnols, Maria ; Tomašević, Igor

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, prošireni sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Advances in Animal Biosciences S1 / - , 2018, 53-53

Skup
69th Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP)

Mjesto i datum
Dubrovnik, Hrvatska, 27.08.2018. - 31.08.2018

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
pig ; immunocastration ; animal welfare ; consumer

Sažetak
Application Immunocastration is a feasible alternative to surgical castration of pigs in Croatia and abandon of surgical castration should be supported. Introduction Surgical castration without anaesthesia is still a routine practice in Croatia. However, due to the growing concern on animal welfare this practice is being seriously questioned in most European countries. Subsequently, a declaration of intention to abandon it has been signed by many different stakeholders of the pork chain (farmers’ representatives, meat industry, retailers, scientists, veterinarians and animal welfare NGOs) (EU Declaration, 2010). A number of alternatives to surgical castration have been proposed (von Borell et al., 2009), immunocastration and entire male production being the feasible ones at present (Cimerman, 2016). However, besides its advantage on animal welfare, the consumer’s opinion should also be considered. The aim of the present study was to understand Croatian consumer beliefs and attitudes towards pig castration and animal welfare, as well as to identify their willingness to pay more for meat of animals that were not surgically castrated and that were treated according to animal welfare legislation. Material and methods A total of 301 consumers participated in the survey through self-administered questionnaires during 2017 in Croatia. The responders were selected by gender and age to follow the National distribution and no previous information was given to them about production practices and meat quality. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), principal component analysis (PCA) and linear regression analysis were computed using XL STAT (2017). Behavioural intention was measured using Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient (Cronbach, 1951). Analysis of variance included gender, place of origin, age, education and economic situation as fixed effects. Results Using the answers from the questionnaire, Croatian consumers were divided into three clusters regarding their attitudes and believes towards pig castration. The consumers from the first cluster (N=88) believe that surgical castration is unnecessary procedure that produces pain to the animal. They believe that castrated pigs produce leaner meat, but the quality of their meat is no better than the meat from uncastrated pigs. They accept pig castration using vaccines. The consumers from the second cluster (N=87) believe that castration is necessary and easily performed, and that immunocastration improves pork quality. The consumers from the third cluster (N=126) believe that castration is necessary, easily performed and natural. They prefer to eat meat from castrated animals, however they do not believe that immunocastration improves meat quality. Using the same methodological approach, we identified three clusters of consumers according to their beliefs and attitudes towards animal welfare. The consumers from the first cluster (N=101) believe that animal welfare is very important and are concerned with the transport of animals and slaughter systems. The consumers in the second cluster (N=88) agree that animal welfare is very important and that animals for human consumption should be treated with dignity. The consumers from the third cluster (N=112) believe that animals raised according to animal welfare legislation produce meat of higher quality. Unlike consumers in other two clusters, these consumers do not believe that meat animals should grow in freedom. In sociodemographic data, significant differences (P < 0.05) between clusters were found in the frequency of pork consumption and the level of finished studies. No significant differences between clusters in other investigated sociodemographic data (professional activity, economic situation, the classification of places of residence and place of origin) were observed. Conclusion Croatian consumers are concerned about animal welfare and strongly believe that animals raised for human consumption should be treated with dignity. Generally, Croatian consumers prefer the meat from castrated pigs ; however, they accept immunocastration as an alternative to surgical castration. Acknowledgements The authors would like to acknowledge the contribution of the COST Action IPEMA CA15215.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Poljoprivreda (agronomija)

POVEZANOST RADA