Many Canadians don’t want to learn more about farming: Survey

Most Canadians know nothing about farming, and a good chunk of them don’t want to learn either.

That’s one of the takeaways from the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity’s annual survey. The survey found that 91 per cent of Canadians say they know little, very little or nothing about modern farming practices, and 40 per cent of Canadians aren’t interested in learning more about agriculture. However, 60 per cent of Canadians have a positive or very positive view of agriculture.

The survey also found that many Canadians are willing to trust animal rights activists, David Suzuki or a well-known celebrity when it comes to matters of farming.

When dealing with agricultural issues, farmers are viewed as credible by 66 per cent of respondents, the highest number among all potential answers. This also means that 34 per cent of survey-takers don’t believe that farmers are credible when it comes to farming issues. University science professors were a close second at 63 per cent and environmental engineers were at 59 per cent. David Suzuki was trusted by 46 per cent, and a well-known celebrity by 10 per cent.

When it comes to animal welfare, veterinarians are trusted by 74 per cent of Canadians, while farmers were second at 66 per cent. Humane societies and SPCAs were trusted by 63 per cent of the population, animal rights groups by 45 per cent and well-known celebrities by 11 per cent.

Another survey question asked who Canadians hold most responsible about providing credible information on how food is produced or grown. The survey found that 71 per cent of Canadians trust farmers, 67 per cent trust food processors and manufacturers and 65 per cent trust the government and government agencies. Advocacy groups were at 29 per cent.

The rising cost of food was the top concern of Canadians when dealing with the food system. With 64 per cent of respondents, it’s the fourth year in a row rising cost of food was the top concern. The humane treatment of farm animals was a concern for 43 per cent of Canadians.

Almost half of Canadians expressed concern about pesticides, hormones and GM crops. Forty-six per cent of people were concerned about the use of pesticides in crop production, 46 per cent with the use of hormones in farm animals, 41 per cent about drug residues in meat, milk and eggs, and 38 per cent about eating food that come from GM crops.

Only 33 per cent of survey-takers strongly agree that Canadian meat comes from humanely-treated animals, and only 32 per cent believe that videos of farm animals being treated poorly are not representative of the livestock sector.

The web-based survey asked 2,189 Canadians in June about their feelings about agriculture and the food system.