Too Close to Eat? Solidarity with Animals, Animal Welfare and Meat Consumption

Meat consumption is influenced by a variety of factors including of empathy and feelings on affinity towards farm animals. The goal of this study was to examine the role of solidarity with animals on meat consumption and attitudes towards the treatment of animals. Data was drawn from a sample of 265 respondents in the US. Correlation and mediation analyses were performed. The results of the correlation analysis indicate a moderate but positive correlation between solidarity with animals and proecological beliefs. The association between attitudes towards the treatment of farm animals and antibiotic use and solidarity with animals was also positive. Relative to meat consumption, the results indicate that proecological beliefs and concerns about the treatment of farm animals negatively influenced consumption. The effect of attitudes towards antibiotic use and solidarity with animals on consumption were however fully mediated by proecological beliefs. The results indicate that social identification with animals can play a significant role in food choice. However, its relationship with proecological beliefs implies that holistic approaches are required to address current livestock production practices that are considered unnatural.