Document type : survey from Ifop and 30 Millions d'Amis Foundation
Authors: Ifop and Fondation 30 Millions d'Amis
Preview: For the eighth year running, Ifop's survey, on behalf of the Fondation 30 Millions d'Amis, reveals that the solidity of the French people's interest in animal welfare continues to grow. In 2025, with the European Union stepping up its efforts to ban cage farming - and live cows no longer being used in the Intervilles TV competitive games show - the subject is a priority for a large majority of French people, demonstrating that the public is aware of animal suffering.
The French still consider animal suffering to be a topical issue
Compared to last year, a slightly higher proportion of French people think that there is no guarantee of animal welfare for pets (22%, +3 points) or farm animals (37%, +3 points), and only a small majority (51%, +3 points) believe that it is guaranteed for wild animals: a considerable proportion believe that animal suffering is still a reality (57% think that animal welfare cannot be guaranteed for at least one "category" of animals). As a corollary to this persistent sense that animals are suffering, only a minority of French people consider that pets are well protected by legislation (49%, +1 point) or by judges and the courts (45%, +1 point). It should also be noted that only a third feel that they are well protected by politicians (33%, -9 points compared to 2022): a figure reflecting the feeling among French voters that their representatives do not take sufficient interest in the issue.
The French public overwhelmingly supports the various bans designed to improve the lives and living conditions of animals
This year, the French reiterated their support for the introduction of measures designed to reduce animal suffering, even though some setbacks were noted. More than 8 out of 10 French people (86%, -2 points) say they are in favor of banning all animal experimentation, 83% are in favor of banning intensive livestock farming (-1 point), and 84% - a significant increase of 8 points - are in favor of banning the online sale of all animals.
A strong commitment to improving slaughter and transport practices
Expectations regarding transport and slaughter conditions in abattoirs remain high, at levels similar to last year: 83% of French people say they are in favor of farm animals being slaughtered on site where they were reared, and 89% agree with the FVE's statement that the slaughter of conscious animals is unacceptable (+3 points). It should also be noted that 9 out of 10 French people are in favor of making video surveillance the norm in abattoirs (90%) and of transporting animals after slaughter (91%). Last, and in line with current events, 89% of French people support the European Union's efforts to ban cage farming.
A majority of the French are in favor of banning/restricting hunting and bullfighting
A clear majority of the French are in favor of banning hunting with hounds (76%, -3 points), hunting on Sundays (73%, +1 point), bullfighting (75%) and the sale of pets in pet shops (76%, -2 points): similar trends to last year. With regard to the various proposals concerning bans relating to the hunting season, even though a 4-point fall can be noted concerning the introduction of a ban on Sunday hunting (78%), French support for full weekend and public holiday bans on hunting increased (79%, +2 points compared to 2023). It should be noted that opinion in France is more divided on sterilization : 61% (-1 point) say they are in favor and 39% are opposed.
A favorable climate for legislative advances
Meanwhile, the French are responsive to other framing proposals, such as the creation of the legal status of "non-human person" for animals. This measure is approved by 77% of those polled, a significant increase of 14 points compared to 2019.
Survey leading to an article on 06/02/2025 on the Fondation 30 Millions d'Amis website: Malgré la conjoncture et l’instabilité politique, la condition animale toujours au cœur des préoccupations des Français
