Opening farms to the public creates less scepticism

The use of confined buildings nowadays is making it impossible for the public to see how eggs and poultry meat are produced. New initiatives giving consumers access to houses help in educating them. Photo: Fred Steenman

In many developed countries the poultry industry is confronted with a strong public opposition regarding intensive poultry production. The growing scepticism of the public towards intensive poultry production, leading to a negative image of the industry, is supported by media reports, activities of animal welfare groups and political parties. The problem, to some extent, is the result of changes in housing systems from the traditional free-range systems in the past to the use of confined buildin