Is welfare-friendly food worth the higher prices?

Apathetic consumers show double standards when they shop, a group of academics has found. They fail to support free-range and welfare-friendly farmers, and plump for bargains instead.

A new poll on Wednesday for the RSPCA suggests that concern for animal welfare has increased since the foot-and-mouth crisis.

The British public consistently tells surveys that it is prepared to spend slightly more on food produced on farms that emphasise animal welfare.

But leading academics claim that these good intentions are forgotten in the supermarket. They say this consumer apathy is threatening moves to improve the welfare of farm animals.

Are you prepared to pay more for food produced by organic, free-range or welfare-friendly methods? Is it a question just of cost? Do your ideals disappear when you get to the checkout?

I find it difficult to buy this accredited meat anywhere

Melanie Torrance, Scotland

I am prepared to pay more, and think that the Freedom Food scheme is great. However, since the Co-op left my town, Aberdeen, I find it difficult to buy this accredited meat anywhere. But the point is that there shouldn't be a need for higher priced meat for people who care about the welfare of the animals - the law should be changed to ensure that the same standards of welfare are maintained in every single farm which produces meat which will be sold in the UK. If the welfare standards aren't up to scratch, then the meat shouldn't be imported.
Melanie Torrance, Scotland

I think at least part of the problem is public cynicism about welfare claims. We know there have been some rather dubious "free range" claims in which the possibility of hens finding their way outside was about as high as winning the lottery. There needs to be one central, recognised standard, preferably a score rather than a yes or no, defined by the RSPCA.
Malcolm McMahon, York, UK

I personally do pay more for free-range eggs, and organic box-scheme veg and fruit, but not everyone can afford this. Also, supermarkets never do buy one get one free offers on these types of products - maybe they know people will buy them anyway. Couldn't there be some sort of subsidy, paid for by a welfare tax on battery farms?
Alison, UK

Improved animal welfare is great, but I buy these products as an insurance policy. Just maybe I won't need to worry about another food scare in ten years time.
Michelle, UK

I suspect this will be similar to peoples' views on public transport: everyone thinks everyone else should be using it. That said, we do try to only buy free-range chicken, and organic veg and meat whenever possible. But for some the bottom line is cost, especially for those with a low income and large family. Which is sad, as I believe that young children would benefit most from better quality food.
Andy C, UK