Farm Animal Welfare in Europe

Despite the existence of far-reaching literature on
the problem of measuring farm animal welfare (FAW)
from both a scientific and a philosophical
perspective, there are still few studies tackling its
economic aspects. In this book, consumers
willingness to pay (WTP) and heterogeneity of
preferences for certified animal-friendly products
(CAFPs) were estimated by employing stated preference
methods. However, since FAW is an emotional topic
which can affect consumers purchasing decisions
through aspects involving psychological components,
this hypothesis was explored combining the theory of
planned behaviour with stated choice methods. To
reach this objective a survey was administered in
France, Germany, Italy, Spain and UK.
Findings show cross-cultural differences in terms of
trust toward stakeholders operating along the
livestock chain and that the components of planned
behaviour play a role both in WTP for CAFPs and in
determining heterogeneity of preferences. Thus it
appears that the marriage between psychology and
economics can open up new avenues of research not
only for WTP and preferences for CAFPs but also to
other food choice contexts.

Autorentext

Giuseppe Nocella (PhD, University of Newcastle, UK) is Lecturer
at the University of Otago (New Zealand), where he teaches
Consumer attitudes and food choice, Food policy, and Consumer
research methods. His research interests lie at the cross-roads
between theories of economics and psychology applied to
consumers' food choices.

Klappentext

Despite the existence of far-reaching literature on
the problem of measuring farm animal welfare (FAW)
from both a scientific and a philosophical
perspective, there are still few studies tackling its
economic aspects. In this book, consumers'
willingness to pay (WTP) and heterogeneity of
preferences for certified animal-friendly products
(CAFPs) were estimated by employing stated preference
methods. However, since FAW is an emotional topic
which can affect consumers purchasing decisions
through aspects involving psychological components,
this hypothesis was explored combining the theory of
planned behaviour with stated choice methods. To
reach this objective a survey was administered in
France, Germany, Italy, Spain and UK.
Findings show cross-cultural differences in terms of
trust toward stakeholders operating along the
livestock chain and that the components of planned
behaviour play a role both in WTP for CAFPs and in
determining heterogeneity of preferences. Thus it
appears that the marriage between psychology and
economics can open up new avenues of research not
only for WTP and preferences for CAFPs but also to
other food choice contexts.