A survey of thousands of shoppers in Australia has found that most want improved animal welfare standards in food production.

But it's also found they don't necessarily know what happens in modern farming and may not pay more for accreditation systems.

The findings have been presented at a World Farm Animal Day symposium in Brisbane by Central Queensland University researcher Dr Tania Signal.

"People are concerned. It is something they are worried about and are thinking about.

"They will say that they are willing to pay between 5 and 10 per cent more for most animal-based food products, but when it actually comes to the point of purchase, we're not seeing that behaviour translating, not for the majority of consumers."

She says part of the problem is a disconnect between consumers knowledge of modern-day farming practices and what they think is going on.

"People's knowledge tends to be very sensationalist from what they see in the media."

Dr Signal says more non-sensational education is needed along with labelling that consumers will trust.

The study found that consumers trust accreditation from organisations such as the RSPCA over and above government, retail and farming groups and gain most of their information from the internet."