RSPCA Under Mounting Pressure To Drop Welfare Label Following Major Investigation

The RSPCA is facing increasing pressure to drop its welfare label following a major investigation that uncovered widespread suffering at some of its certified slaughterhouses. Animal advocacy group Animal Rising documented multiple breaches of both RSPCA standards and legal standards for animal welfare at four RSPCA Assured slaughterhouses in the UK, including ineffective stunning, animals being hit and kicked, excessive electric prod use, and rough handling. The investigation also revealed suffering on supposedly "high welfare" farms, prompting calls from celebrities and animal advocates for the RSPCA to end its certification scheme.

In response to the investigation, the RSPCA has suspended three slaughterhouses from the scheme and is working to strengthen its standards, including tripling the amount of unannounced visits annually. The RSPCA maintains that its Assured scheme aims to improve farmed animal welfare, but critics argue that there is no humane way to kill animals and that the scheme ultimately prioritizes efficiency and profit over animal wellbeing. The RSPCA is urging other organizations to work with them to drive change and improve legislation and regulation for farmed animals.