More than 200 farms across the UK have come under inspection following allegations that the RSPCA Assured scheme, one of the country’s largest food certification programs, is failing to uphold legal welfare standards
The scheme, which includes nearly 4,000 farms, aims to assure consumers that the products they purchase meet higher welfare benchmarks, the BBC reported.
Welfare issues across UK farms
A coalition of 60 organisations has called for the scheme’s repeal, revealing undercover investigations that revealed various welfare issues at approximately 40 farms. These issues reportedly included overcrowding, poor hygiene, unacceptable health conditions, and instances of alleged abuse by farm workers.
The RSPCA launched a comprehensive review and conducted unannounced visits to the farms in question in response to the criticism.
They emphasised that the inspections were random and not prompted by specific welfare concerns. The review led to sanctions against several farms, including membership removal for two and disciplinary actions for others.
The controversy heightened earlier this year when animal welfare activists released undercover footage showing breaches of legal standards at RSPCA Assured farms. This prompted calls from public figures and organisations, including prominent celebrities, for the immediate suspension of the scheme.
What is the RSPCA Assured scheme?
The RSPCA Assured scheme, originally known as Freedom Food, was established three decades ago to set higher welfare standards than those legally required in the UK.
Farms certified under the scheme are authorised to label their products accordingly, with endorsements from major retailers and restaurant chains such as Aldi, Sainsbury’s, McDonald’s, and Frankie & Benny’s.
Despite these endorsements, critics argue that the scheme is “welfare-washing” animal cruelty and misleading consumers about the true conditions in which their food is produced. They contend that the recent findings call into question the scheme’s effectiveness and its ability to ensure the welfare of farmed animals.
RSPCA animal welfare
In response to the mounting pressure, the RSPCA assured the public of its commitment to animal welfare, asserting that any failure to meet its standards is unacceptable. They pledged to take robust action following the completion of their ongoing review.
The debate surrounding the RSPCA Assured scheme shows more general concerns about animal welfare in agriculture and the effectiveness of certification programs in ensuring compliance with ethical standards.
