A YouGov poll, carried out for RSPCA Assured, has revealed that the majority (62%) of UK shoppers would spend more and buy British higher-welfare labelled products - such as free-range, organic and RSPCA Assured - rather than settle for cheaper alternatives.
The findings come as RSPCA Assured supports Back British Farming Day by urging those who eat meat, fish, eggs or dairy to choose trusted higher-welfare labels.
Charlotte Thomas, regional assessment manager at RSPCA Assured, said: "Every time you choose a product with a higher-welfare label, you help ensure farmed animals live better lives.
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"With this one simple choice, you are saying no to cages, no to fast-growing chickens, no to inadequate enrichment and bedding, no to routine antibiotic usage and more.
"You are also protecting those British farmers who adhere to higher-welfare standards from unfair competition from cheaper, lower‑welfare imports."
Higher-welfare farming is essential to ensure animals live free from unnecessary stress and suffering, providing enriched environments, space to move, access to veterinary care, freedom to express natural behaviours and more.
With support from retailers, foodservice companies and industry partners, more than 1,800 RSPCA Assured-labelled products are now available in supermarkets and on menus across the UK.
However, globally, billions of animals are still kept in cages, overcrowded sheds or barren pens with little opportunity to move freely or express natural behaviours.
By supporting Back British Farming Day and inspiring consumers to choose British products with higher welfare labels, RSPCA Assured hopes to see an end to these practices and give more animals the chance to live healthier, happier lives.
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Charlotte continued: "According to a previous RSPCA Assured survey, 85% of people say it is important to them that farmed animals are reared to higher welfare standards.
"It is clear that UK shoppers want higher-welfare food.
"Choosing products with labels like RSPCA Assured is one of the simplest, most powerful ways to create a food system where animal welfare is at the heart of every decision."
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