International Research

Hunting as a wildlife management tool has come under increasing attack by antihunting organizations, resulting in increased concern by fish and wildlife agencies across North America, many of whom fear that the scientific management of wildlife is in danger due to the influence of an uninformed public. This study of Manitoba (Canada) residents indicated support for hunting as wildlife management, for habitat preservation, and to maintain healthy animal populations. [Excerpted from published abstract].

This report describes the trend of increasing per capita meat consumption in China and its environmental impacts. The authors suggest undertaking a critical examination of industrial animal agriculture to help prevent large-scale environmental issues. The report includes statistics describing China's factory farming industry.

The results of this study showed that in elementary aged children, hyperactivity in boys was a unique predictor of cruelty toward animals, while self-reported behavior problems were a predictor of similar behavior in girls.

An opinion poll conducted at a European poultry technical seminar found that nearly a third of nutritionists, veterinarians, and other industry experts believe that the European Union (EU) program to reduce salmonella contamination in eggs and poultry flocks will put the competitiveness of EU poultry producers at risk.

This report offers from Concensus, a pro-aquaculture group, provides information on efforts to improve the sustainability of European aquaculture. Specifically, it addresses the welfare of farmed fish as producers seek out stocking densities and handling practices that optimize growth and health status while minimizing suffering. Scientific studies have identified indicators of fish welfare which can enable producers to measure the welfare of their farms.

Australians are voting with their wallets regarding the way that chickens for meat consumption are raised, with three in five Australians choosing chickens that are "free to roam outside in paddocks and guaranteed to not contain growth hormones."

A survey of consumers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Argentina, and China reveals that consumers are most concerned with taste, quality, and the price of food; health is also important, particularly in China. Consumers predict that what we eat will be different in 2020, and while they would like to consume more local foods, they expect that more of their food will be imported.

This study of visitors to three zoos in India found that nearly two-thirds of survey respondents (64%) believe that zoos could "definitely" help protect wild animals. Zoo visitors seem to be more knowledgeable than the general public, based on a series of questions relating specifically to lion-tailed macaques.

Higher standards of animal welfare can provide positive benefits to producers and consumers, but producers by themselves are unlikely to maximize either animal or social welfare. Consequently, government involvement is warranted to ensure that the interests of consumers who care about animal welfare are considered. This paper analyzes the economic benefits of improving the welfare of "broiler" chickens.

This Canadian study sought to identify the attitudes, health-related behavior, "social adjustment," and perceptions of personal health among both vegetarian and omnivorous teenagers, with the goal of determining specific characteristics related to vegetarianism.