MP backs campaign to protect farm animals (Cambridge Liberal Democrats)

Cambridge Liberal Democrats <camlibdems@gmail.com>

MP backs campaign to protect farm animals

September 24, 2008 2:24 PM

Cambridge MP, David Howarth is backing a national RSPCA campaign which encourages the town's shoppers to change their eating habits to safeguard animals' welfare.

The charity is celebrating Freedom Food Farm Animal Week from September 22 to 28 which is designed to show how shopping habits impact on farm animals.

David Howarth - backs campaign to protect animals Research published to mark the event found that, despite the credit crunch 56 per cent of those questioned said that they chose higher welfare eggs, 39 per cent higher welfare labelled chicken and 41 per cent stated they are more likely to let animal welfare influence their choice of food compared to five years ago.

But 60 per cent of respondents admitted that they had bought cheaper standard chicken or salmon when tempted by offers such as Buy One Get One Free and 63 per cent said, if they couldn't find the meat they were looking for, they would buy the standard option.

Mr Howarth said: "Just by making changes to our shopping and eating habits we can affect the way farm animals are reared.

"If more people go out of their way to choose or ask for welfare-friendly food such as RSPCA Freedom Food labelled products, more of the one billion animals reared for food each year in the UK will be raised to higher welfare standards, farmers will be rewarded for their efforts and others will be encouraged to follow suit".

To help raise awareness of the issue shoppers are being given the chance to test out their own welfare credentials by visiting www.animalwelfarefootprint.com and taking part in a simple quiz.