AR-News: Some U.S. consumers changed buying habits after mad cow

[jim robertson]

Some U.S. consumers changed buying habits after mad cow



Thursday, July 01, 2004
By Reuters



DENVER — About 22 percent of U.S. beef consumers changed their buying habits 
after last December's mad cow scare, with some buying different cuts of beef 
and others going for organic brands, according to a university study 
released Wednesday.

Of those who changed their habits, 57 percent bought less beef, 12.7 percent 
bought different types of beef, and 2.5 percent bought more beef because of 
lower prices after the Dec. 23 incident, according to the Colorado State 
University Cooperative Extension national survey.

The remainder returned to regular buying by the time the survey was taken in 
March and April, according to Dawn Thilmany, an agricultural economist and 
one of the authors of the report.

The survey of 1,288 nonvegetarian consumers was conducted by the National 
Family Opinion research group using an online survey method that was 
distributed randomly.

The impact on consumers was smaller than had been seen in other countries 
where mad cow surfaced, but the December scare was only one incident, the 
university said.

But animal health officials have reported two "inconclusive" test results 
for mad cow disease in less than a week since the government began using 
rapid test kits.

Some consumers said they bought beef directly from producers or from natural 
and organic producers, signaling potential market growth for such niches, 
the university said.

The survey also showed consumers value testing highly, which could suggest 
increased testing is cost effective in some consumers' opinions, but 
information on willingness to pay more for tested beef is not yet available, 
the report said.

Source: Reuters

http://www.enn.com/news/2004-07-01/s_25448.asp


So many gods, so many creeds,so many paths that wind and wind, while just 
the art of being kind is all this sad world needs.
-- Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1805-1919)