Animal activists and shoppers clash in supermarket meat aisle

Activists from animal rights group Animal Rising have staged a series of protests in supermarkets in England, calling for the RSPCA Assured scheme to be dropped.

However, shoppers at a Sainsbury’s store near Southampton were not impressed by their actions, with video footage showing some customers barging past protestors in a meat aisle. 

Police were called to the scene, but no intervention was made.

See also: Pig sector requests RSPCA guidance over welfare revisions

The group called on shoppers to sign their petition for the RSPCA to drop the Assured label.

Its argues that there is cruelty on RSPCA Assured farms and slaughterhouses. The petition has so far said to have attracted 15,000 signatures.

Targeting M&S and Sainsbury’s stores in England, activists handed out leaflets and held up placards, to what they say exposes the vast differences between public advertising and the hidden reality of the RSPCA Assured scheme.

Rob Smith, one of the activists who took part in Saturday’s action at Sainsbury’s near Southampton, said:

“People like me will continue these types of actions until the RSPCA recognises its responsibility towards the most abused category of animals – those bred and confined on farms.”

Over the past nine months, Animal Rising claims to have investigated 37 RSPCA Assured farms and four RSPCA slaughterhouses, claiming that they found widespread and systemic suffering, animal cruelty and factory farming.

Animal Rising lead investigator Rose Patterson said: “Our investigations have shown that whether on the farm or at the slaughterhouse, cruelty is endemic within the Assured scheme.

“It’s time for the RSPCA to drop the Assured label for good, and instead lead the way to a kinder future for all animals.”

The group primarily calls for the transition to a secure and sustainable plant-based food system, alongside a mass rewilding programme.

RSPCA response

Responding to claims that welfare standards are not upheld at certified farms, an RSPCA spokesman told Farmers Weekly that higher welfare standards have been independently proven to make lives better for millions of animals every year.

A recent independent review looking at more than 200 RSPCA Assured farms concluded that the scheme is “operating effectively’” to assure animal welfare on member farm.

“We have a different view to these protestors on the best approach to improving farmed animal welfare,” said the spokesman.

“But while 94% of people choose to eat meat, RSPCA Assured is the right thing to do for animals being farmed right now, and we continually update our standards to drive up welfare for animals not just in the UK but around the world.” 

A Sainsbury’s spokesman said: “The welfare of our animals is extremely important to us and we work with a range of independent organisations to make sure our suppliers meet our high standards, including Red Tractor and RSPCA Assured.”