Survey: Majority Would Eat Less Meat Due to Animal Suffering

51 percent of respondents said they would try to eat less meat under these circumstances. Nine percent stated they would even completely give up meat, it was announced in a press release on Thursday.

For the analysis, the market research institute Market conducted online interviews with 1,000 people aged 16 and over, representative of the Austrian population, from August 18 to 20 of this year. According to Four Paws, the results highlighted the need for transparent food labeling.

Austrians eat 58 kilograms of meat per year

"The results clearly show that comprehensive labeling of food according to farming methods is absolutely necessary so that consumers can make informed decisions. Reducing our meat consumption is important because we Austrians eat around 58 kg per year - making us leaders in the German-speaking region," said campaign manager Veronika Weissenböck. In Germany, nearly 52 kilograms of meat are consumed per year, and in Switzerland almost 46 kilograms.

And globally, Austria is also at the forefront: almost twice as much meat is consumed here as the global average, according to Weissenböck. According to calculations by Four Paws, the recommended annual meat quantity will already be reached in Austria by April 10, 2025.

The survey revealed that 43 percent of men and women have so far had insufficient knowledge about poor farming conditions and the associated animal suffering. Four Paws asked whether it was known that about 70 percent of pigs and half of all beef cattle in this country are kept on fully slatted floors, or that a large portion of broiler chickens are raised to gain weight rapidly, making it difficult for them to move.

Criticism of discount promotions in retail

"We must be aware that our excessive meat consumption inevitably means animal suffering. Because the majority of animals are not allowed to live a life that even remotely meets their needs - not even in Austria," said Weissenböck. Mass production also consumes many resources and, according to the animal welfare organization, fuels the destruction of the rainforest. There was criticism of discount promotions in retail, which according to Four Paws, exacerbate the problem. "But there is no cheap meat; in the end, the animals, the environment, our health, and even the farmers themselves pay a high price," said Weissenböck.

In Austria, 106 million chickens were slaughtered last year, and there were nearly 4.7 million pigs. 609,000 cattle were killed in 2024.

(APA/Red)

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