Born Free Foundation UK Manifesto Survey Report Research conducted by Opinion Matters - Dec 2022
Born Free's UK Wildlife Conservation and Animal Welfare manifesto entitled "Transforming Wildlife protection in the UK" is calling on all UK political parties to prioritise wildlife protection and animal welfare. Despite a number of high-profile government commitments over recent years, the UK remains one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries. Research was undertaken with Opinion Matters amongst 2000 UK respondents with at least 100 per region, to understand and highlight the public’s desire for wildlife protection and animal welfare to feature heavily in future party manifestos, ahead of the next General Election.
HOW IMPORTANT IS ANIMAL WELFARE TO YOU?
93% of the 2000 UK residents surveyed feel that animal welfare is very or quite important with only 2% feeling it is not at all important. This figure was highest amongst 25 – 34-year-olds at 95%, and lower at 87% amongst those aged 65 and over.
Across the regions, over 90% was recorded by all, with the South East lowest at 91% closely followed by Greater London at 92%. Wales was by far the highest with 97% reporting that Animal Welfare was important.
And the variation across political persuasion was also minimal with SNP and Labour supporters at 96%, Green Party supporters at 95%, and Conservative and Liberal Democrats at 92%.
HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO YOU THAT THE NEXT UK GOVERNMENT INCLUDES COMMITMENTS TO IMPROVE WIDLIFE PROTECTION IN ITS MANIFESTO?
89% of UK residents surveyed felt this was very or quite important. The proportion was highest among 25-34 year olds at 94%, and lowest among 65s and over at 81%. All other age groups hovered around 90-91%.
The Welsh had the highest at 92%, with 88% of those questioned in the South East, Greater London, North West and the East Midlands feeling it was important.
94% of Liberal Democrat supporters responded that this was important. Whilst the Green Party supporters were lower at 89%, nearly 60%¹ felt it was very important compared to Lib Dems’ 46%. SNP supporters were also high in their support at 96%, with supporters of other parties hovering around 90%.
¹ 58% respondents supporting the Green Party saying it is very important.
HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO YOU THAT THE NEXT UK GOVERNMENT INCLUDES COMMITMENTS TO IMPROVE ANIMAL WELFARE IN ITS MANIFESTO?
Whilst the average across all demographics was 88%, 91% of 25 – 45-year-olds felt this was very or quite important. The two ends of the age demographic, 65 plus year olds (79%) and 16 – 24year-olds (85%), had the lowest numbers feeling animal welfare should be committed to. However, these statistics represent over three quarters of responders.
90% of respondents from Northern Ireland and Wales said this was important, with all other regions at 87 – 89%. 94% of Lib Dem and Green supporters, 91% of Green Party and Labour supporters, and 85% of Conservative supporters who responded said this was important.
HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO YOU THAT THE NEXT UK GOVERNMENT INCLUDES COMMITMENTS TO TACKLE WILDLIFE CRIME IN ITS MANIFESTO?
88% of UK residents surveyed felt this was very or quite important, with the highest percentage coming from 55 – 64-year-olds (92%) and the lowest from those aged 65 and over (83%).
Regionally, between 88-90% of respondents felt tackling wildlife crime should be included in manifestos, except in Greater London (82%).
92% SNP voters said this was very or quite important, followed by Labour at 91%, Lib Dems at 90%, Green Party at 89% and Conservatives at 88%.
HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO YOU THAT THE NEXT UK GOVERNMENT IMPROVES THE PROTECTION OF WILDLIFE BY REVIEWING LEGISLATION?
Again, most UK residents surveyed felt this was important at 89%, with 47% stating it was very important. Across the age demographic there was little variation at around 90% except 65 plus year olds, of whom 81% felt it was very or quite important.
Of those in the East of England, 93% said it was important, with 86% of Londoners and those in the North West responding that it was important. Yorkshire and the Humber responded at 87%. West Midlands and the North East at 88%, South East at 89%, Scotland and Northern Ireland at 90% and the South West and Wales at 91%.
Conservative voters at 88%, Lib Dems and Green Party at 91%, Labour at 92%, and SNP at 96%.
HOW IMPORTANT TO YOU IS IT THAT THE NEXT UK GOVERNMENT PHASES OUT THE KEEPING OF LARGE ANIMALS IN CAPTIVE ENCLOSURES AT ZOOS, WILDLIFE PARKS AND OTHER CAPTIVE FACILITIES?
Over three quarters (76%) of UK residents surveyed felt this was very or quite important, with the 35 – 44-year-olds coming out top with 83%. 82% of 16 – 34-year-olds said it was important followed by 73% of 55 – 64-year-olds and 62% of the 65s and over.
Most regions responded at 72 – 77% except the West Midlands at 80% and Northern Ireland at 82% 72% of those in the North East felt it was important, 73% of those in Yorkshire and the Humber, and Scotland, followed by North West, East Midlands, and East of England at 75%.
76% of those in Wales, the South East, and Greater London responded that it was important and 77% of those in the South West.
87% of Green Party voters were the highest supporters of the phase out of keeping large animals in captivity and 82% of Liberal Democrats agreed. 79% of Labour voters stated it was important with 73% of Conservative and SNP voters in agreement.
HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO YOU THAT THE NEXT UK GOVERNMENT CREATES AND DELIVERS ON TARGETS DESIGEND TO SECURE NATURE’S PROTECTION AND RECOVERY?
87% of UK residents surveyed felt this was very or quite important, with 55 – 64-year-olds as the highest demographic (92%), and 90% of 35 – 54-year-olds in agreement 87% of 24 – 34-yearolds responded that it was very or quite important with 82% and 81% of 65 plus and 16 – 24 years agreeing respectively.
Across the country the statement had the most support in the East of England (92%) followed by the South West at 91%, with 86% of those in Yorkshire and the Humber, and Scotland agreeing it was important. 84% of those in Greater London and the East Midlands supported the target with 83% of those in the North East agreeing.
90% in Northern Ireland, 89% in the North West, 88% in Wales and 87% in the South East felt it was important.
90% of Labour and Lib Dem voters supported the target, 88% of Green Party and SNP voters and 85% of Conservatives also agreed.
HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO YOU THAT THE NEXT GOVERNMENT INCLUDES THE PHASING OUT OF THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDING FOR ACTIVITIES THAT DAMAGE NATURE AND WILDLIFE, OR CAUSE ANIMAL WELFARE HARMS IN IT’S NEXT MANIFESTO?
88% of UK residents surveyed agreed that this was important, with 35 – 44-year-olds as the highest responding “very important” or "quite important" (92%) and 90% of those age 16 – 34 agreeing. The 65 plus age demographic was lower at 78%.
Regionally the percentage responding that this was important was 91% in the South West, East Midlands and East of England. 90% of those in Northern Ireland agreed, followed by 89% in the West Midlands, North East and North West and 88% in Yorkshire and the Humber. Of those in the South East, 87% felt it was important. 86% of those in Wales and Scotland and 84% of those in Greater London agreed.
Politically, 95% of Green Party voters, 93% of Lib Dem supporters, 91% Labour, 90% SNP and 85% of Conservative voters say it is very or quite important.
DO YOU THINK ANIMAL WELFARE IN GENERAL SHOULD BE ONE OF THE NEXT UK GOVERNMENT PRIORITIES?
62% of UK residents responded yes to this question, with 20% undecided and just 18% saying no. The highest yes response came from the 25 – 34-year-olds at 70%, followed by 16 – 24-yearolds at 68%, then 35 – 44-year-olds, with 67% saying yes. 61% of 55 – 64-year-olds agreed this should be a priority, but less than half, 47%, of those aged 65 and over agreed.
Across the country, there was not much variation, the highest level of agreement from those in NI (65%), and the lowest from those in Wales (58%). 64% of Scots felt animal welfare should be a priority, then the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, and Greater London at 63%, followed by the South West at 62% and East Midlands, West Midlands, North West and South East at 61%. 60% of those in the East of England and 58% of those in Wales agreed.
Responses varied across political persuasion with 76% of Green Party voters responding yes, and at the lowest, still over half, 58% of Conservative supporters agreeing. 69% of Labour voters questioned responded yes, followed by 67% of SNP and 59% of Lib Dems.
THE NEXT UK GOVERNMENT SHOULD INTRODUCE A BAN ON BRITISH HUNTERS FROM BRINGING 'TROPHIES' OF ENDANGERED AND VULNERABLE ANIMALS INTO BRITAIN
85% of UK residents surveyed totally or somewhat agreed, with the highest proportion of 55 – 64 year olds agreeing, at 92%. The ban was supported by 89% of those 65 years plus, 86% of 45 –54 years of age, 82% of 35 – 44-year-olds, 82% of 25 – 34-year-olds and 77% of 16 – 24-yearolds.
Regionally there was not much variation with the North East having the highest in agreement at 90%, closely followed by South West at 89%, West Midlands at 88%, Wales at 87% and East of England and South East at 86%. 85% of Northern Irelanders and 84% of East Midlands and North West agreed with the ban, with 83% of those in Greater London and Yorkshire and the Humber agreeing the ban should be introduced.
Politically 88% of Conservative voters, 87% of Labour voters, 85% of Green Party voters, 83% of SNP and 82% of Lib Dem supporters expressed agreement with the ban.
THE NEXT UK GOVERNMENT SHOULD BAN THE USE OF TRAPS AND SNARES TO MANAGE WILD ANIMAL POPULATIONS
77% of UK residents surveyed totally or somewhat agree with this proposal, with agreement highest among 55 – 64 year olds (82%), and lowest among 16 – 24 year olds (70%).
The Scots had the highest proportion in agreement at 83%, with 82% of those in the South West and 81% of the North East also agreeing. The lowest percentage in agreement was in the East Midlands and Greater London, with 72% agreeing, followed by 73% of those in the East of England. 77% of the North West agreed followed by 78% of West Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber. 79% in the South East and Wales, 81% in the North East, 82% in the South West and 83% of Scots questioned also agreed the next government should implement a ban.
In terms of political allegiance, the highest support was among SNP supporters at 83%, followed by Labour supporters at 81%, Conservative supporters at 79%, Liberal Democrat supporters at 76%, and Green Party supporters at 73%.
THE NEXT UK GOVERNMENT SHOULD TIGHTEN THE RULES OF TRADE IN AND KEEPING OF EXOTIC PETS
83% of UK residents surveyed totally or somewhat agree with this statement, with the highest demographic being among those aged between 55 and 64 (88%), closely followed by those aged 65 and over at 87%. 70% of 16 – 24-year-olds, 79% of 25 – 34-year-olds, 83% of 35 – 44-yearolds and 84% of 45 – 54-year-olds supported the statement.
There was variation across the country too, with 93% of South West residents in agreement, compared to 74% in Greater London.
86% of those in the North East also agreed, followed by 85% in the South East and Wales, 84% of those in Scotland and Northern Ireland, 83% in the East of England, 82% in the North West, 81% in West Midlands, 79% in Yorkshire and the Humber and 76% in the East Midlands.
There was less variation across political affiliations, with Green Party voters supporting the statement the least, at 79%, SNP at 87%, Labour at 85% and Conservative and Lib Dems at 84%.
THE NEXT UK GOVERNMENT SHOULD END THE IMPORT AND SALE OF ANIMAL FUR IN THE UK
79% of UK residents surveyed totally or somewhat agree with ending the import and sale of animal fur, with the highest age demographic supporting the ban among 55 – 64-year-olds at 86%. The youngest group, 16 – 24-year-olds, had the lowest proportion of supporters at 69%, followed by 25 – 44-year-olds at 78%, those aged 65 and over at 78% and 82% of the 45 – 54year-olds questioned also in agreement.
86% of Welsh residents and those in the South West supported ending the sale of fur, which was the highest proportion in the country, while 73% agreed in the East Midlands, closely followed by the Scottish respondents with 74%, the West Midlands at 75%, Londoners at 76%, those in the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber and East of England at 79%. 80% of those in Northern Ireland supported the statement, with 81% of South East residents, and 84% of those in the North East in agreement.
Looking across political party alignment, 83% of Labour voters, 81% of Conservatives, 80% of Lib Dems, 79% of SNP supporters and 78% of Green Party voters responded that they agreed.
THE NEXT UK GOVERNMENT SHOULD USE ITS INFLUENCE, THROUGH TRADE DEALS ETC, TO BRING AN END TO OVERSEAS ACTIVITIES THAT INVOLVE ANIMAL CRUELTY (SUCH AS THE SLAUGHTER OF DOLPHINS IN THE FAROES)
There was overwhelming support for this statement with 82% of UK residents surveyed totally or somewhat in agreement. The 55 – 64-year-old age group voiced the most support for the UK using its influence with 87%. 84% of 45 – 54-year-olds in agreement, followed by 83% of those aged 65 and over. The youngest again showed less support, although still by far the majority at 74%. 80% of 25 – 34-year-olds agreed, followed by 81% of 35 – 44-year-olds.
Support in the regions varied between the South West at 87% and Londoners at 76%. 77% of those questioned in the West Midlands agreed with the statement, followed by Yorkshire and the Humber at 79%. 82% of East Midlands residents, 83% of those in the North West and Scotland and 84% of those in the East of England, North East and South East supported the UK using its influence overseas in this way.
85% of those who vote for the SNP agreed, along with 84% of Labour voters, 83% of Lib Dems voters and 82% of Conservative and Green Party voters.
THE NEXT UK GOVERNMENT SHOULD END THE BADGER CULL
Most UK residents surveyed (67%) support an end to the UK’s badger cull, with the younger demographic (70% of 16 – 24-year-olds and 72% of 25 – 34-year-olds) in agreement. Over half (59%) of those aged 65 and over also agreed, with 66% of 35 – 54-year-olds and 69% of 55 – 64year-olds questioned supporting the statement.
An end to the cull was supported across the country, with 72% of those in Northern Ireland, 71% in the North East and 70% in the North West agreeing. This is compared to 59% in the East Midlands, 63% in Greater London and the West Midlands, 65% in Wales, 66% in the South East, 67% in the East of England rising to 69 % in the South West. Nearly three quarters agreed with ending the cull in Yorkshire and the Humber (71%), the North East (71%) and the North West (70%).
79% of SNP voters agreeing in an end to the badger cull, compared to 64% of Conservative voters and 65% of Lib Dem supporters. There was 72% support from Labour and Green Party voters also in agreement.