The RSPCA is currently reassessing its animal welfare assurance scheme following allegations that the system is not effectively ensuring the welfare of farm animals. With almost 4,000 farms certified as RSPCA Assured, indicating they meet strict animal welfare standards surpassing UK legal requirements, these farms can label their products to showcase their superior standards to consumers. However, activists claim that the scheme is failing to address welfare issues on many certified farms.
To address these concerns, the RSPCA has undertaken a thorough review of its certification process, including conducting unannounced visits to over 200 assured farms in recent months. A coalition of 60 organisations, along with celebrities like Ricky Gervais and Joanna Lumley, has called for the scheme to be abolished, citing instances of welfare breaches at certified farms, including overcrowding, poor hygiene, and mistreatment of animals.
Following public outcry over these allegations, Chris Packham, the RSPCA president, advocated for a suspension of the scheme. The RSPCA emphasised that animal welfare is paramount to the scheme and any deviations from its standards are unacceptable. An immediate investigation was launched, and visits were made to all identified farms to address the concerns raised.
In addition to these actions, an independent review of RSPCA Assured has been initiated, involving visits to over 200 scheme members and ongoing analysis of the review findings. The RSPCA is committed to ensuring that their assurance scheme consistently delivers higher welfare standards than conventional farming practices.
RSPCA welfare scientists establish the welfare criteria farms must adhere to for certification. RSPCA Assured products are available in major supermarkets like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, and Lidl, as well as in restaurants such as McDonald’s and Frankie & Benny’s. The RSPCA will release the findings of its review once the analysis is complete, aiming to uphold the integrity of the animal welfare certification scheme.