Risk perceptions of public health and food safety hazards in poultry husbandry by citizens, poultry farmers and poultry veterinarians

Abstract

Differences in risk perceptions of public health and food safety hazards in various poultry husbandry systems by various stakeholder groups, may affect the acceptability of those husbandry systems. Therefore, the objective was to gain insight into risk perceptions of citizens, poultry farmers, and poultry veterinarians regarding food safety and public health hazards in poultry husbandry systems, and into factors explaining these risk perceptions. We surveyed risk perceptions of Campylobacter contamination of broiler meat, avian influenza introduction in laying hens, and altered dioxin levels in eggs for the most commonly used broiler and laying hen husbandry systems in Dutch citizens (n = 2,259), poultry farmers (n = 100), and poultry veterinarians (n = 41). Citizens perceived the risks of the three hazards in the indoor systems higher and in the outdoor systems lower than did the professionals. Citizens reported higher concerns regarding aspects reflecting underlying psychological factors of risk perception compared to professionals. Professionals indicated a relatively low level of personal control, which might imply risk denial. Of the socio-demographic characteristics, gender and childhood residence were associated with risk perceptions. The influence of other factors of risks perception are discussed. It is suggested that risk perceptions of all stakeholder groups are influenced by affect, stigma, and underlying values. To adapt current or new husbandry systems that can count on societal support, views of key stakeholders and multiple aspects such as animal welfare, public health, food safety, and underlying values should be considered integrally. When trade-offs, such as between animal welfare and public health have to be made, insight into underlying values might help to find consensus among stakeholders.

Cross-Cultural Comparison between German, French and Dutch Consumer Preferences for Meat Substitutes

“…This distorted perception of health hazards might be driven by media and non-governmental organisations. This can be supported by the fact that consumers assess particular risks more highly than experts do [47,48]. Similar health concerns were discussed in the French groups.…”

Something wicked this way comes: How well did UK newspapers support the public debate of Avian Influenza as a wicked problem?

“…The infrequent instance of structural problematisation that we found follows logically from the general lack of connections across avian flu and other issues related to broiler production and the lack of systemic references found in our dataset, but is particularly disappointing given the availability of scientific literature on precisely this topic that was available at the time (Canavan, 2019;Gilbert et al, 2017;Leibler et al, 2009;Rohrl et al, 2019;Van Asselt et al, 2018, 2019Waltner-Toews, 2017). They are also surprising given research on public perception of the avian influenza outbreak at the Bernard Matthews plant during in February 2007, suggesting that the public was indeed making such links between industry practices and avian influenza, amongst other public health concerns (Rowe et al, 2008).…”

A Grand Challenge for Animal Science: Multiple Goals – Convergent and Divergent

“…For example, consumers have very positive views about free-range systems for laying hens, not just in relation to the behavioral freedom they incontrovertibly provide for birds, but also for attributes that they patently do not possess, such as a lower risk of disease. Some consumers view freerange systems as posing a lower risk of avian influenza, even though the science shows this disease is primarily transmitted via outdoor contact with wild birds (van Asselt et al, 2018). Misunderstandings can produce paradoxical demands e.g., for high welfare food from systems that pose high health risks to animals.…”