Public opinion is slowly shifting in their favour despite opposition, Manitoba Pork told its members at a regional meeting Nov. 1.
“It’s just been moving up a little bit all the time,” said Manitoba Pork public relations director Susan Riese in an interview with the Co-operator.
She said the Manitoba Pork Council has surveyed public opinion annually since 2017. Respondents answer a general question on whether they believe the hog sector is good for Manitoba, a query used as an overall trust meter, said Riese.
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In 2021, the most recent data, 83 per cent agreed or strongly agreed, which is a two per cent increase from 2020.
People are also asked their opinion of specific issues including the environment, animal care, and pork’s value as a safe and nutritious food.
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Here, opinion on the sector’s economic value has seen gains. When asked if the pork sector makes a valuable contribution to the province’s economy, 85 per cent agreed or strongly agreed in 2021. In 2017, 79 per cent said yes.
Public opinion on pork as a safe, nutritious and affordable food is static.
“I still take that as a positive,” said Riese. “We’ve seen in the media over recent years, in particular about red meat, processed meat products, promotion of meat alternatives and plant-based diets, so I feel like we’re holding our own.”
She noted that negative messages spread easily because of social media and many celebrities tout plant-based diets.
The least change in opinions is seen in environmental concerns. About half the people surveyed agreed or strongly agreed that hog farmers are taking steps to improve their environmental impact, while 35 per cent were unsure. That means 15 per cent said farmers are not trying to improve.
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It’s positive that so many people are unsure, said Riese, because it means they may change their minds. That’s one reason Manitoba Pork has contracted consulting firm Group Ageco to produce a sustainability report card, she added.
Opinions on hog farmers’ treatment of animals have also stayed level. About 65 per cent agreed with the statement “hog farmers care about the health and well-being of their animals,” Riese said. The number of people who strongly agree has risen to 32 per cent from 27 per cent.
Twenty per cent of respondents weren’t sure, leaving about 15 per cent negative on the issue.
Farmers’ voices are critical to public trust, because they are seen as trusted people, Riese told producers. She cited figures from the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity.
Farmers ranked highest in trustworthiness in the centre’s latest report on public trust in the food industry. Of people surveyed, 42 per cent rated farmers as trustworthy, above scientists (35 per cent) and small, independent food producers (33 per cent).
In the same report, about 40 per cent of people agreed that “Canadian farmers are good stewards of the environment.”
