Many members of the public and important stakeholders operating at the upper end of the
food chain, may be unfamiliar with how food is produced, including within modern animal
production systems. The intensification of production is becoming increasingly common in
modern farming. However, intensive systems are particularly susceptible to production diseases,
with potentially negative consequences for farm animal welfare (FAW). Previous
research has demonstrated that the public are concerned about FAW, yet there has been little
research into attitudes towards production diseases, and their approval of interventions
to reduce these. This research explores the public’s attitudes towards, and preferences for,
FAW interventions in five European countries (Finland, Germany, Poland, Spain and the
UK). An online survey was conducted for broilers (n = 789), layers (n = 790) and pigs (n =
751). Data were analysed by means of Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA, exploratory factor analysis
and structural equation modelling. The results suggest that the public have concerns regarding
intensive production systems, in relation to FAW, naturalness and the use of antibiotics.
The most preferred interventions were the most “proactive” interventions, namely improved
housing and hygiene measures. The least preferred interventions were medicine-based,
which raised humane animal care and food safety concerns amongst respondents. The
results highlighted the influence of the identified concerns, perceived risks and benefits on
attitudes and subsequent behavioural intention, and the importance of supply chain stakeholders
addressing these concerns in the subsequent communications with the public
