UNDERSTANDING PERSPECTIVES AND RESOLVING CONFLICTS OVER THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF FOOD ANIMALS
Please note that we have now concluded our interviews for this project. Many thanks to all who have contributed their time and effort.
Project Summary
Current Events
Project Summary
Research Team: David Fraser (Principal Investigator), Catherine Schuppli and David Tindall (Co-Investigators), Jeffrey Spooner (PhD Student), Susan Cox (Collaborator)
Animal agriculture is currently experiencing a rapid emergence of diverse programs and standards (created by corporations, international agencies and industry organizations) intended to ensure a high level of animal welfare. At the same time, these various initiatives reflect differing animal welfare standards. Moreover, research in other jurisdictions reveals significant disagreements between respective stakeholders (e.g., producers vs consumers) over what such programs should include.
The purpose of our study is to develop an in-depth understanding of the values, beliefs, attitudes and ethical concerns of various groups of Canadians (livestock producers, rural and urban public, and members of animal advocacy organizations) about the appropriate care and treatment of agricultural animals. Our study will determine what issues are relevant to these groups and how views differ. By providing a thorough account of the values and concerns of Canadians whose opinions have not been previously recorded, this work will facilitate a more inclusive discussion among major stakeholders. The research should also form a basis for reducing the conflicts that are beginning to emerge with the introduction of diverse programs of animal welfare standards.
Do you have an interest in how farm animals are raised and treated?
If so, we would be interested in what you have to say about:
- your views on farm animal welfare
- reasons for your food preferences
- possible improvements to the system
While recent years have seen an explosion of policies and programs - governmental, intergovernmental and corporate - pertaining to the welfare of farm animals, we have very little understanding of public values, beliefs and attitudes regarding farm animal welfare. Thus, we are looking for Canadians who are willing to discuss their perspectives about farm animal welfare in a 45 to 90 minute interview. Participants require no specialized knowledge beyond a keen interest in the issue. Please note that while no payment is offered, expenses will be covered.
If you would like more information or would be interested in doing an interview, please contact Catherine Schuppli by phone: (604) 827-5527 or email: schuppli@interchange.ubc.ca
Or click here for our recruitment letter
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Current Events
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Fall, 2010: We would like to formally express our appreciation to those who have assisted us in our attempts to contact participant volunteers. Moreover, we are greatly indebted to all who volunteered their time -- and in many cases welcomed us into their homes or offices (not to mention feeding us!) -- to participate in our study. We hope to repay your generosity through the careful review and faithful representation of your opinions in our forthcoming publications.
At present, we have finalized a draft copy of our “Beef” paper (i.e., reflecting the ideas of ‘good’ or ‘satisfactory’ lives for farm animals among of Canadian Beef producers). Once edited, the paper will be forwarded to a scientific journal for prospective publication. We are hoping to complete and forward our “Dairy” paper by March 30th, 2011.
Summer, 2010: Following an interruption in the interviewing process owing to other academic responsibilities [Fall, 2008-Winter, 2009], we spent the months of June, July, and August, 2010 undertaking face-to-face and telephone interviews with dairy and hog producers. As a result, we have now concluded our interviews for this project.
.......Telephone Interview [from Vancouver]: May 15 (Southern Saskatchewan)
Telephone Interview [from Vancouver]: May 14 (Southern Saskatchewan)
Telephone Interview [from Vancouver]: March 18 (Southern British Columbia)
March 14-16: Olds, Alberta and surrounding region
March 13-March 14: Saskatoon and Southern Saskatchewan region
Telephone Interview [from Vancouver]: March 6 (Okanagan region, BC)
February 11: Fraser Valley region, BC
January 29th-February 1: Okanagan region, BC
Telephone Interview [from Vancouver]: January 20, 2009 (Central Alberta)
November 20-21: Ottawa and Eastern Ontario
October 27: Vancouver
October 14-17: Kingston, Belleville, Toronto, ON
October 6-10: Vancouver, Fraser Valley, BC
September 2008: Returning to southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba regions
August 26, 2008 : Vancouver
July 26-29, 2008: Southern Alberta region
July 24-25, 2008: Fraser Valley, BC
Early May: Okanagan area
April 10-14, 2008: Winnipeg area
April 4-7, 2008: Edmonton area
April 3-4, 2008: Alberta Farm Animal Care Livestock Care Conference in Red Deer, Alberta
April 1-2, 2008: Brandon, Royal Manitoba Winter Fair
March 27-29, 2008: Vernon, B.C.
February 10th, 2008
We are in frosty Alberta visiting the Calgary, Lethbridge and Acme area (Feb 10 -15, 2008), still
waiting for the chinook!
January 9th, 2008
To date we have completed 27 interviews and are planning another
trip to Alberta in January and February.
We attended the Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan 16th Annual Conference in Saskatoon.
We carried out interviews with Saskatchewan producers in the areas of Saskatoon and Swift Current. We hope to return to Saskatchewan for further interviews in January and February 2008.
November 8th, 2007
We are currently interviewing farmers, members of animal advocate associations and members of the urban and rural public. To date we have completed 18 interviews.
A trip to the prairie provinces to carry out more interviews is planned for November and December 2007.
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