Animal Policy-Barometer 2023

• Is animal welfare an important issue for the public?
• For which sections of the population is animal suffering a particular concern?
• Which animal welfare measures does the public consider most effective?
• What role does animal ethics play in voting decisions?
• Do citizens feel that animals are adequately represented in politics?
• What is the general public’s view of state animal welfare officers?
• Is there support for a federal ministry for animal welfare?

For the vast majority of the population, animal welfare is a major concern (72%), almost as important as climate change/the energy transition (73%) and the rise of right-wing extremism in Germany (75%). However, according to the survey, it is not one of the most important issues affecting the people of Germany. These tend to relate more to inflation, social inequality and uncertain pensions. Animal welfare ranks in the lower mid-range compared with other current concerns and problems facing the public, albeit in times of multiple crises.

By Social Group

Animal welfare is a key concern across all social groups. It plays a central role in high-income groups, but is also important in lower-income groups that have  fewer resources.

In Other Groups

Regardless of factors such as gender, age, education or political affiliation, the majority recognise that animal suffering is a significant problem.

This awareness of animal suffering is least pronounced in:

• Men
• People between the ages of 30 and 40
• Supporters of the AFD

The greatest commitment to animals, however, is seen in:

• Women
• People in their 50s
• supporters of the Tierschutz  Party or Die Linke Party.

Two questions in particular were useful for determining the importance of, and preferences regarding, measures for animal welfare. Question 10 reads: ‘Which of the following measures do you support to promote animal welfare?’ Question 12 asked respondents to indicate their agreement with certain statements.

Using these questions, the various suggestions can be divided into four groups, which are ranked according to their popularity.

1. Legal measures

The first category focuses on improving the Animal Welfare Act and ensuring the consistent implementation of existing animal welfare legislation (monitoring and enforcement, strengthening animal welfare legislation, and establishing and adhering to higher standards in animal husbandry).

This group focuses primarily on legal aspects and undoubtedly enjoys the widest support, particularly with regard to the need for more effective enforcement and the strengthening of the existing Animal Welfare Act.

2. Development of Animal Welfare Organisations

42% of respondents regard the development of institutions as an important animal welfare measure. This measure ranks roughly in the middle of our proposals. However, there is strong support for the establishment of a Federal Ministry for Animal Welfare (64%), and even stronger support for the appointment of animal welfare officers in every federal state (81%).

It is important to note that improving animal welfare legislation and its enforcement is closely linked to strengthening institutions that work on behalf of animals.

3. Labelling, Consumer Protection and Advertising

The third group focuses on individual consumption: transparency for consumers, labelling and advertising. Measures that promote transparency for consumers are, on the whole, fairly popular.

There is 45% support for clearly labelling the farming method on packaging, as well as for regulating advertising for meat and dairy products. Less popular, but still supported by at least 29% of the population, is the inclusion of photographs of animals in the relevant farming conditions on packaging.

4. Reducing Livestock Numbers and Meat Consumption

Measures to reduce meat consumption or livestock numbers, aimed at tackling the societal problem of excessive meat consumption, are less popular, but nevertheless received a fair amount of support. In order of popularity:

• The proposal to abolish VAT on plant-based products has met with a high level of support, with 64% in favour.
• The development of better plant-based alternatives to animal products receives 57% support. One example is the federal government’s fund of EUR 38 million for 2024 to promote alternative protein sources.
• Although reducing livestock numbers through the introduction of an animal welfare tax is not the most favoured measure, it is supported by at least 20% of the population

The abolition of VAT on plant-based food is supported by a large majority, particularly amongst those from post-materialist and precarious backgrounds. This applies above all to women (70%), but also to the majority of men (57%).

The introduction of an animal welfare tax and the reduction in animal numbers are the least popular measures. It is worth noting that these measures are also the least prominent in public perception or discourse. This does not necessarily mean that respondents are fundamentally opposed to them. Rather, these measures may be novel and receive less support from the movement or the media.

Animal ethics influences voting decisions, provided it is clear which candidate advocates for or against animals. This is because 62% of citizens would vote for a candidate who attaches political importance to animal ethics, whilst 78% would not vote for a candidate who acts against animal rights.

This shows that, compared with the previous assessment of relative importance, the opinions of men and women are more equal when it comes to animal ethics. This issue is becoming increasingly important in shaping voting decisions amongst Green Party voters and as education regarding animal issues increases.

One thing is clear: for almost 80% of citizens, the interests and needs of animals are either not represented at all or not adequately represented in politics, whilst only 7% believe that animals are adequately represented politically.

Support for animal welfare officers is very high across all federal states (81%), as is support for the establishment of a Ministry of Animal Welfare (64%).

What is the General Public’s View of Regional Animal Welfare Officers?

The approval ratings are very high (81% in favour and only 10% against).

• All genders (at least 71%)
• Every age group (at least 79%)
• Every level of education (at least 78%)
• Every political preference (at least 75%)

Is There Support for a Federal Ministry for Animal Welfare?

Support for the proposal is very high (64% in favour and only 24%). The younger the respondents, the greater the support for a Ministry for Animal Welfare. Nevertheless, the same applies here: all age groups are in favour of such a ministry (18–29: 72%; 60–69: 53%)

For Politicians:

In general:

• The Animal Welfare Act urgently needs to be reformed and better enforced. There is widespread public demand for this.
• Germany should advocate for stricter animal welfare standards at EU level, even – or perhaps precisely because – a corresponding reform is currently being blocked by the Commission.
• Animals must be better represented in politics, as almost 80% of citizens believe that their interests are not being adequately taken into account.

In Support of Animal (Welfare) Organisations:

• Support for state animal welfare officers in all federal states (81%) and for a Ministry of Animal Welfare (64%) is very high.
• Political decision-makers should do more to champion animal welfare, whether through personal representation by parliamentarians or by advocating for the creation of new institutions to represent animal welfare.

On Agricultural Policy:

• Plant-based alternatives should be promoted more actively.
• Labelling relating to animal husbandry should be made clearer and less ambiguous.
• The inclusion of realistic images of animals in realistic husbandry conditions on the packaging of products of animal origin is already supported by 29% of the German population and should be further promoted.

For NGOs and the Animal Rights Movement:

• Political pressure should be maintained, particularly with regard to coalition pledges, as there is also support for this from the rest of the population, who can be mobilised.
• New demands to tackle animal suffering, climate change and the waste of resources are supported by around 20% of the population and should be communicated more widely.

For Citizens:

• Show greater political commitment to animals and communicate this clearly to decision-makers.
• There is a clear desire amongst citizens to reduce animal suffering, and this should be articulated politically, as 71% recognise that animals are part of our society.