RSPCA to increase unannounced farm inspections
© Tim Scrivener RSPCA Assured has announced plans to significantly increase unannounced farm inspections in response to a review of its assurance scheme.
The RSPCA commissioned the audit and for consulting firm Crowe to carry out an independent review of the RSPCA Assured scheme, which aims to address non-compliance issues.
Publishing the findings, the RSPCA said it was reassured that the review found that the scheme was “operating effectively to provide assurance that animal welfare standards are being met across members”.
See also: RSPCA Assured reviews scheme as Brian May resigns
A total of 225 RSPCA Assured farms were randomly chosen for unannounced visits, completing assessments that covered 22.5 million individual animals present at the time of inspection.
Of the 200 farms assessed, 93% had fewer than five non-compliances out of more than 500 welfare standards applicable to each species.
The RSPCA said: “This review provides us, our supporters, and the public [with] further confidence that RSPCA Assured is actively improving the lives of millions of farmed animals.”
Announced visits
The organisation has also pledged to increase announced visits, ensuring a more thorough oversight of farms across the UK.
Responding to the news, Lizzie Wilson, chief executive of the National Pig Association, said: “Whilst unannounced audits can be an inconvenience dependent on what is happening on farm that day, they are a reminder that standards need to be maintained at all times and not only when an audit is due.
“Frequency of unannounced audits, however, should be risk-based and proportionate.
“It is encouraging that non-compliances will be graded to allow producers to prioritise, as not all standards have the same impact on pig welfare.”
The assurance scheme will investigate the implementation of more technological tools, including expanded CCTV and body-worn cameras, to enhance issue identification and strengthen enforcement of standards.