AFAC Summer 04 Update ... A recent survey indicates the public has trust and confidence in US farmers and school teachers, and distrust for politicians and well-known Hollywood actors or actresses, especially when they attack animal agriculture.

So says a national consumer opinion survey conducted by Market Directions, Inc. and jointly underwritten by the Animal Agriculture Alliance and National Corn Growers Association.

“Our polls show that the public has consistently over the years trusted and valued American farmers and ranchers and the important job they do so well. More than 40% of respondents over the age of 25 considered farmers and ranchers to be one of their two most favorably viewed groups. At the same time, animal rights activists show themselves to be consistently out of touch with the public at large.”

80% of respondents think consumers should have the right to choose what they eat and not be dictated to be activists and their agendas. It’s heartening to realize the public is gaining a greater awareness that accurate information on animal and production agriculture comes not from celebrate sources and activists groups but straight from the experts — those ranchers and farmers who on a daily basis make their livelihood by working with animals and the land. Efforts by the entire agriculture sector to educate the general public on best practices are having an impact.

Nearly 80% agreed that ‘while it is important to be concerned about how farm animals are raised, there is nothing wrong with raising animals solely for food purposes.’ More than 80% said they believe farmers are concerned about the well-being of their animals and food safety, and 84% said they believe producers do a good job producing healthy food at reasonable prices.