Views of Polish High School Students on the Criteria for Assessing Farm Animal Welfare

We surveyed young people’s opinions on the criteria for assessing farm animal welfare, which provided information on how they understand the human-animal relationship. Among the Polish high school students surveyed, the prevailing opinion was that the most important criterion for assessing farmed animals’ welfare is their sentience. Most respondents considered the method of housing to be the least important criterion. Among high school students, the dominant belief was that animals are capable of suffering. Respondents differed mainly in their beliefs about the intensity of emotions and suffering experienced by nonhuman vertebrates. These differences affected the dietary choices of young people and their willingness to take actions that indirectly contribute to ensuring a higher level of animal welfare. The results of the research indicate the need to consider the perspective of young people as a specific social category in debates on welfare.