The RSPCA has welcomed the Government’s new Animal Welfare Strategy as an ‘important first step’ for farmed animal welfare.
The organisation welcomed the measures which, if enacted, could pave the way to ending longstanding practices which cause distress and suffering to millions of farmed animals.
RSPCA head of public affairs David Bowles said: “Lower welfare farming is the single biggest animal welfare issue we face in the UK and around the world. Today, the government’s new strategy sets us on an important path to address some of the cruel practices which cause pain and suffering to millions of animals every year.
“It is high time we end the use of cages in UK farming and that we find more humane alternatives to CO2 gassing of pigs – these practices affect millions of pigs and laying hens every year.”
Mr Bowles continued: “The government has shown its commitment to animal welfare through this strategy and it is essential that it supports farmers and slaughter plants to make these critical transitions to better animal welfare.
“This strategy is an important first step and we look forward to continuing to work with the government and the farming industry to keep improving the lives of farmed animals.”
RSPCA Assured is the RSPCA’s ethical food label, and assesses more than 4,000 farms and businesses every year to check they’re following hundreds of higher welfare standards.
“Creating a kinder food system that benefits everyone is not an impossible dream – we know it can be done. Thirty years ago, battery hen farming was common, and while around 20% of hens are still kept in cramped cages, most eggs sold today are from cage-free birds. That just shows what can be achieved when government, farmers, retailers and welfare experts work together.
“Until we have better legal protections for farmed animals in place, the easiest way for the public to choose higher welfare products is to look for the RSPCA Assured label.”
