Poll shows voters favour parties with factory farming policies

A Horizon Research poll shows that 64.7% of adults are more likely to vote for a political party with a policy against factory farming.

“Polls have always shown that many New Zealanders oppose factory farming,” says SAFE Campaign Officer Shanti Ahluwalia. “But this is the first time we’ve seen that it actually influences how people vote.”

The poll showed significant support among the Left for a factory farming ban, but surprisingly also strong support among the right:

13.2% of participants who voted for National in 2011 indicated they would “definitely vote for a party” with a policy against factory farming.

Another 39.6% indicated it might affect their vote.

This means that a total of 52.8% of National supporters could be taking the suffering of animals on factory farms into account on voting day.
Labour earlier this week released its Animal Rights policy. The policy delighted animal welfare campaigners by aiming to phase out intensive farming practices, starting with farrowing crates.

“Concerns about how we treat our animals has grown significantly in the past few years,” says Mr Ahluwalia. “We’re calling on the National Party to keep up with the times, and ensure they’re addressing this issue- it’s clearly important to voters.”

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