RSPCA Assured reviews scheme as Brian May resigns
© Tim Scrivener The RSPCA says it is sticking by its RSPCA Assured quality assurance scheme while it carries out a review.
It comes alongside the high-profile resignation of its vice-president Sir Brian May, and calls from animal welfare groups to drop the scheme.
On Thursday (26 September), the RSPCA received a letter signed by more than 60 animal rights organisations, as well as celebrities such as Bryan Adams, Ricky Gervais and Joanna Lumley, urging it to scrap the RSPCA Assured scheme.
See also: RSPCA Assured gives more time for hen welfare improvements
They complained that, despite various cases of alleged animal mistreatment on RSPCA Assured farms recorded by undercover activists in recent months, the RSPCA was still endorsing the scheme.
The stakes were then raised when Sir Brian May tendered his resignations as the RSPCA’s vice-president.
“I have understood that the RSPCA needed time to evaluate the evidence and make decisions on action to be taken,” he wrote.
“But as more and more evidence comes to light, I find the RSPCA’s response completely inadequate.
“In line with the organisation’s core principles, and in the clear knowledge that supervision of the Assured scheme had failed and was continuing to fail, I feel the only acceptable policy would have been complete dismantling of the scheme.
“Instead, the RSPCA have tried to defend their position, and in doing so, in my view, have sacrificed their integrity.”
Sir Brian May resigns after he found the RSPCA’s response “completely inadequate” © Dorset Media Service/Alamy Live News
Response
But the RSPCA has defended its position.
“There are billions of animals being farmed right now in appalling conditions, with no regard for their welfare,” said a spokesman.
“But we want to give our supporters, partners and the public confidence that RSPCA Assured is consistently delivering better welfare than standard farming practices.
“So, we launched an independent review of RSPCA Assured, which has been carried out over several months, including unannounced visits to more than 200 members of the scheme.
“Once we have analysed our findings, we will take any robust action necessary.”