Chilean public attitudes towards beef production systems

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Consumer Behavior
• Environmental Studies

Background:

• Public perception significantly influences agricultural practices, yet attitudes towards beef production systems remain under-researched.
• Existing discourse often focuses on efficiency and externalities, overlooking public opinion on indoor housing versus pasture-based systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate Chilean citizens' attitudes toward different beef production systems.
• To identify the key factors driving public preference for specific beef production methods.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to 1,084 Chilean citizens.
• Participants received information on one of three beef production systems: indoor housing, continuous grazing, or regenerative grazing.
• Attitudes were measured on a 5-point scale (1=most negative, 5=most positive).

Main Results:

• Pasture-based systems received more favorable attitudes (regenerative grazing: 2.94, continuous grazing: 2.83) compared to indoor housing (1.94).
• Concerns regarding animal welfare and environmental impact were primary drivers of preference.
• Participants did not prioritize productivity over animal welfare and environmental considerations.

Conclusions:

• Public support for beef production can be enhanced by adopting systems perceived positively for animal welfare and environmental sustainability.
• Addressing public concerns is crucial for the future social license of beef production systems.
• Consumer attitudes favor regenerative and continuous grazing over intensive indoor housing models.