United Kingdom is a marginally adequate performer under the VACI (on par with China).
'I just don't want to eat an animal that's standing there inviting me to,' said Arthur, 'It's heartless.'
'Better than eating an animal that doesn't want to be eaten,' said Zaphod. 'That's not the point,' Arthur protested. Then he thought about it for a moment. 'Alright', he said, 'maybe it is the point. I don't care, I'm not going to think about it now. I'll just... er [...] I think I'll just have a green salad', he muttered.
Douglas Adams (from "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy")
United Kingdom is a marginally adequate performer under the VACI (on par with China).
The United Kingdom kills 15.6 animals per person / year compared with a global average of 10.6. This is lower than France (16.8) but higher than Germany (10.1). Sow stalls have been banned in the UK since 1999. In common with other EC countries, barren battery cages are illegal, but furnished cages are allowed. Layer hens, broilers and pigs are mostly produced in factory farms.
Land animal protein in the diet is close to 54%. This is much higher than the world average (35%) but lower than most of the EU members surveyed. In 2014 the UK also had the most vegetarians in Europe, with 12% of the population, according to a survey. This represents a major increase that coincides with a proliferation in the types and quantity of vegetarian and vegan food available. According to the 2011-12 National Diet and Nutrition Survey only 2% of the population were vegetarian at that date.
The United Kingdom is close to best practice with respect to the quality of its animal welfare legislation, and was given an “A” under the Animal Protection Index (API). It was the first country in the world to implement animal welfare legislation. Learn more about the quality of the United Kingdom’s regulatory frameworks on the API here.