One week prior to the RSPCA’s 200th anniversary (16th June), UK-based animal advocacy NGO Animal Rising published a report by Dr Alex Lockwood, RSPCA ‘Assured’: Covering Up Cruelty on an Industrial Scale.
This documented substantial and widespread animal welfare problems on 45 RSPCA Assured farms in England and Scotland. These were the subject of 60 investigations over four months – the largest such investigation in UK history. The farms were pig, poultry and trout/salmon farms. Within the report I provided an assessment of the welfare of chickens within footage from 16 poultry farms, including both laying hens and chickens farmed for meat.
These welfare problems were serious and widespread, and I concluded that “These birds are highly sentient, and such treatment of them is not ethical. Unfortunately, these conditions are common within the industry.”
Dr Alice Brough and Mark Borthwick provided similar assessments relating to pig, trout and salmon farming.
Barrister Ayesha Smart has analysed the evidence and footage obtained from these farms. Her findings suggest that there may have been as many as 280 breaches of the law. This is a shocking revelation that demands action.
We called for the RSPCA to immediately end its labelling scheme and its promotion of products produced by these RSPCA-accredited farms.
This is not a case of a few isolated incidents, but rather a widespread problem that cannot be ignored.
For almost two centuries, the RSPCA has been at the forefront of animal welfare, tirelessly working to protect and assist countless animals. Their efforts in rehoming, prosecuting animal cruelty, and rescue work deserve recognition and praise. However, their reputation has been tarnished by the existence of the ‘RSPCA Assured’ food labelling scheme.
This scheme falsely leads the public to believe that farmed animals are being treated with the utmost care and welfare. I would like to express my gratitude to Chris Packham, the president of the RSPCA, for his call to immediately suspend the ethical food labelling scheme.
His demand comes after this investigation revealed appalling conditions at farms certified as having high animal welfare standards. The footage obtained from these farms, including distressing images of decomposing pigs, dying chicks, and salmon with missing eyes, is simply indefensible.
The video summary of this investigation is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfM5VRMl7wk.
Could our dogs or cats trigger an avian influenza pandemic?
As our memories of the last COVID 19 disappear, the potential for another pandemic looms and pets could play a role in transmitting it
Exposing Butternut Box Dog Food
Did Butternut Box introduce a plant-based fresh dog food option in 2022 simply to gain B-Corp Certification?
Fermented Protein Pet Food – the Future?
Is precision fermentation our future way to feed not only our pets, but ourselves too? Yes it most certainly is!
Cultivated Chicken Dog Food in Pets At Home!
Cell-based meat and vegan ingredients represent the future of pet food. These are the only ingredients that are good for pets, ‘food’ animals and the planet.
Using microbial protein for the very first time in dog treats!
This first-of-its-kind protein is derived from bacteria that have been consumed by humans for centuries in foods such as kimchi, kefir, and sauerkraut
BVA says it is possible to feed dogs plant-based
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has ended its opposition to (nutritionally-sound) vegan diets for dogs
Who is MARS Petcare?
How did they go from producing Snickers, Mars, Bounty bars, Pedigree, Royal Canin and Whiskas to be the fourth largest privately held company in the US?
Plant-based vs Insect-based dog food
Insect Protein-Based Diets as Potential Risk of Allergy in Dogs, and Much Higher Cost
The Great Protein Debate – Beef or Beans?
Dr Sue Paterson, RCVS President and Senior Vice President of the European Society of Veterinary Dermatologists interviews Dr Arielle Griffiths about Sustainable Pet Foods
University of Liverpool Vegan Dog Food Study
Prof Alex German holds the position of Royal Canin Professor of Small Animal Medicine at the University of Liverpool
The longest, most comprehensive peer-reviewed study so far!
Domestic dogs maintain positive clinical, nutritional, and haematological health outcomes when fed a commercial plant-based diet for a year. Peer reviewed and published in PLOS ONE
Reasons Why Dog Owners Stop Feeding Raw Meat-Based Diets
The latest paper from April 2024 makes an astounding 85 papers against the use of raw feeding in our dogs
