Morgen is er een congres in Brussel naar aanleiding van de nieuwe animal welfare strategie van de EU die staat hier. In de strategie worden een aantal verbeteringen doorgevoerd ten opzichte van de vorige keer. Zo wil men meer aandacht voor compliance van de huidige wetgeving. Een goed punt, maar tegelijkertijd erkent men dat dit vooral een nationale aangelegenheid is. Verder zit men nog steeds op het spoor dat meer informatie en transparantie de consument moet gaan overtuigen om meer te letten op dierenwelzijn. Goede informatie is een mooie basis, maar zal niet een gedragsverandering teweeg brengen. Hieronder enkele quotes uit een paper waaraan ikzelf een bijdrage heb geleverd.

"Animal welfare labelling is only part of the solution to develop markets for animal-friendly products. According to their needs, consumers look for information whether externally or from their memory about which products can satisfy them. In both processes, distortions occur, and instead of complete information, most consumers use associations. Also labels work more as mechanisms that attach associations to a product, than as providers of complete and undistorted information on the origins of a product. Even when consumers consider animal welfare important, they do not automatically choose an animal-friendly product. "

"Consumer behaviour literature on wants and needs recognition suggests needs are hierarchical, such that over time, markets and businesses evolve and the product availability, safety and even basic quality differences become increasingly negligible across competitors. In such a market, the point of differentiation may shift to ethical aspects of products, which can enable premium brands and retailers to charge premium prices, even if the overall market moves towards greater price sensitivity. Companies thus can use their marketing instruments to prompt consumers to make decisions that match those adopted by a good citizen. In turn, consumers may feel more satisfied with their choices, repeat their purchases and communicate positively about the product and the seller to other consumers, which would have significantly positive benefits for animal welfare and other ethical issues. Consumers that perceive the company as socially responsible are also more foregiving if the company receives a bad press for other reasons."

Ingenbleek, P.T.M.; Immink, V.M. (2011) Consumer decision-making for animal-friendly products: synthesis and implications Animal Welfare 20 (1). - p. 11 - 19.