The findings were revealed in a McDonald's survey of farmers.
More than a third of Scottish livestock farmers are planning to invest in animal welfare over the next 12 months, according to a survey by McDonald’s.
The fast-food chain’s latest Farm Forward Barometer research, conducted by the National Farm Research Unit, found that 38% of Scottish livestock producers plan to invest in animal welfare, while 27% intend to spend money on infrastructure and 33% on working capital.
When asked why they were increasing their investment in animal welfare, 83% said they believed high welfare standards were vital to making UK farming globally competitive and 32% said they had seen an increased demand for higher welfare products over the last five years.
McDonald’s UK supply chain director Connor McVeigh said: “UK farmers have always been front-footed when it comes to animal welfare but, as this research shows, they continue to invest and innovate.”
He said the company wanted to work hand in hand with farmers and it was investing £500,000 in a capital grant scheme, alongside dairy giant Arla, to help dairy farmers deliver animal welfare initiatives.
