Poll shows support for labelling detailing how meat and dairy was produced

A new survey has shown support for labelling on meat and dairy products that states the conditions in which the animal was reared in.

The UK-wide poll, which received 1,990 responses, revealed that 68% would support such labelling – with it being described as similar to how eggs are labelled as free range.

Only 14% said that they would not support such measures, with a further 18% answering ‘don’t know’.

Broken down into national responses, 71% of those in Scotland said they’d back the move, 73% in Wales, and 51% in Northern Ireland – whilst 66% in London revealed their support, 69% in north England and 68% in the south.

The findings come from the charity Compassion in World Farming. Founded in 1967, the organisation is focused on ending factory farming.

The organisation commissioned Opinium to carry out the poll, with it coinciding with Defra’s  call for evidence on method of production (MOP) labelling.

Dr Nick Palmer, head of compassion at World Farming UK, commented, “These poll results demonstrate that the overwhelming majority of British people want clear labelling showing how their meat and dairy was produced, in the same way that eggs are now labelled with the method of production.

“Compassion in World Farming has been calling on Defra to provide MOP labelling for some time and these results show that the British public would welcome seeing more information on their meat and dairy that tells them how they animals were reared.

“We now urge Defra to act on these results and to ensure that MOP labelling is extended to meat and dairy products.”