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Shoppers 'pay for happier birds' Shoppers 'seek well-reared meat'
(about 6 hours later)
Almost half of consumers who buy chicken are prepared to pay at least £2 extra for birds which they believe to have had happier lives, the RSPCA says. Almost half of consumers who buy chicken are prepared to pay at least £2 extra for birds which they believe to have been well treated, the RSPCA says.
The RSPCA commissioned a poll after the conditions of some intensively farmed birds were exposed on TV by Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.The RSPCA commissioned a poll after the conditions of some intensively farmed birds were exposed on TV by Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.
Some 27% of the 2,011 people polled said they would pay £2 extra, and 22% £3 extra, for "higher welfare" chicken.Some 27% of the 2,011 people polled said they would pay £2 extra, and 22% £3 extra, for "higher welfare" chicken.
The RSPCA is urging better labelling of chicken to help people choose.The RSPCA is urging better labelling of chicken to help people choose.
Some retailers have confused consumers about their chicken products Dr Mark CooperRSPCA farm animal scientistSome retailers have confused consumers about their chicken products Dr Mark CooperRSPCA farm animal scientist
It says many shoppers are still unclear which chickens on offer have been intensively-reared and which have not.It says many shoppers are still unclear which chickens on offer have been intensively-reared and which have not.
The RSPCA has introduced a new food labelling scheme in which animals which have been "well-treated" during their lives bear the logo "Freedom Food".The RSPCA has introduced a new food labelling scheme in which animals which have been "well-treated" during their lives bear the logo "Freedom Food".
It means the animal has come from an environment that has been inspected to the RSPCA's standards for rearing, transport and slaughter.It means the animal has come from an environment that has been inspected to the RSPCA's standards for rearing, transport and slaughter.
"The results of our poll are extremely encouraging and show that the campaign has begun to make a real difference with shoppers," an RSPCA farm animal scientist, Dr Mark Cooper said."The results of our poll are extremely encouraging and show that the campaign has begun to make a real difference with shoppers," an RSPCA farm animal scientist, Dr Mark Cooper said.
"We think some retailers have confused consumers about their chicken products, so we hope our good chicken guide will clarify what chicken the RSPCA recommends and help people to make an informed choice.""We think some retailers have confused consumers about their chicken products, so we hope our good chicken guide will clarify what chicken the RSPCA recommends and help people to make an informed choice."
The animal welfare group reported that almost 80% of the people surveyed said animal welfare was an important consideration when buying chicken, and 70% said they now usually bought "higher welfare" chicken.The animal welfare group reported that almost 80% of the people surveyed said animal welfare was an important consideration when buying chicken, and 70% said they now usually bought "higher welfare" chicken.
The survey was carried out by the polling organisation TNS between 8 and 17 February. Some 2,011 people aged 16 and over were interviewed.The survey was carried out by the polling organisation TNS between 8 and 17 February. Some 2,011 people aged 16 and over were interviewed.