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Have you ever wondered how veganism is perceived? In a new survey of 1,000 adult meat eaters in the U.K., 73 percent considered plant-based eating “ethical,” and 70 percent said it was good for the environment. Over half of those polled also believed that eating vegan was both socially acceptable and healthy.
Conducted by psychologist Christopher J. Bryant from the University of Bath in England, the survey shows that the main barrier to veganism among those polled is concern over taste, price, and convenience, not disagreement with its core principles.
Bryant’s findings align with a 2017 study by the nonprofit think tank Sentience Institute, which found that nearly half of the 1,094 Americans surveyed would support a ban on slaughterhouses and factory farming.
Sentience Institute research director Jacy Reese stated:
The public support we see for these proposals is remarkable. Less than 10% of the population is vegetarian, but you can eat turkeys for Thanksgiving and still want society as a whole to shift away from animal agriculture.
Of those polled, 70 percent reported having “some discomfort” with the way animals were used in the food industry, while a whopping 69 percent believed that factory farming was “one of the most important social issues in the world today.” And 33 percent said they would support a ban on all animal farming. Reese continued:
We hope to conduct this survey every few years so we can see how US attitudes are changing, especially given the growth of the plant-based foods sector and the scientific work being done to create real animal products from animal cells and proteins, without animal slaughter. Clean meat could be the tipping point that will shift the US food system in line with public values.
As more and more people embrace vegan eating for its positive impact on animals, the environment, and health, it’s never been a better time to add more plant-based meals to your menu! Get meal ideas with our FREE Vegetarian Starter Guide, and check out our Pinterest page for thousands of recipes.