More than two thirds of French citizens want better animal welfare
A few weeks after the launch of a shared initiative referendum (RIP) on animal welfare, the results of the survey carried out by our Member Fondation Brigitte Bardot and IFOP confirm the interest shown by French citizens in topics related to breeding, hunting, animal experimentation, wild animals used in circuses, intensive farming, illegal pet trade and slaughter without stunning.
The survey was carried out between August 5 and 7, 2020 with a sample of 1,009 people representative of the French population. The results of the survey were covered by Le Monde and show a strong support from French citizens to improve laws regulating the welfare of animals in France. 2/3 of citizens want to see an improvement in the protection of animals in France, despite the lack of political ambition of the government.
For Cristophe Marie, spokesperson of Fondation Brigitte Bardot, “These results bear witness of the interest of the French in the animal condition and the need to start a transition towards production methods that are more respectful of animals, but also towards the abolition of the most cruel practices, such as slaughter without stunning or hunting with hounds."
The difficulty is that our young president is pursuing an old-fashioned policy, under the influence of hunters and the FNSEA (National Federation of Farmers' Unions). These lobbies, with their support from high places, thwart any positive development, making France the red lantern of the animal condition in Europe."Cristophe Marie, Spokesperson of Fondation Brigitte Bardot
THE SURVEY:
- 82% of the French are against hunting with hounds;
- 82% in favor of a ban on the use of cages within the next 5 years;
- 91% in favor of making outdoor access compulsory for all farmed animals within the next 10 years;
- 86% in favor of making the stunning of animals before slaughter compulsory in France (without exception for halal or kosher slaughter);
- 77% in favor of banning the breeding of animals for the sole purpose of marketing their fur;
- 70% in favor of a commitment by the public authorities to finance the development of alternative methods to animal experimentation;
- 73% in favor of banning animal testing within the next 10 years;
- 72% in favor of banning the sale of pets through social networks, online platforms and pet shops;
- 84% in favor of the obligation to sterilize stray cats with financial participation from the municipalities;
- 73% agree that the public authorities should support circuses professionals in the transition towards circuses without wild animals.
