Celebrities Urge RSPCA to End Controversial Certification Program for Animal Products

A growing number of high-profile figures are calling on the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) to halt its controversial Assured scheme, which provides certifications for meat and dairy products. Critics, including comedian Ricky Gervais, musicians Bryan Adams and Moby, and actors like Joanna Lumley and Miriam Margoyles, accuse the organization of misleading the public by endorsing practices they say contribute to animal suffering.

In an open letter to RSPCA leaders Chris Sherwood and Claire Horton, 170 individuals, including veterinarians and former board members, argue that the Assured program is not fulfilling its promise of animal protection. The letter claims that animals on certified farms are subject to cruelty and neglect despite the organization’s welfare promises.

“Your RSPCA Assured scheme is failing to ensure the welfare of farmed animals, it is welfare-washing animal cruelty, and it is misleading the public that animals can be farmed without cruelty,” the letter states.

The letter highlights numerous investigations over the years, uncovering disturbing conditions on farms certified under the Assured scheme. These reports have shown animals being kicked, beaten, and confined in harsh, crowded environments. Additionally, slaughterhouses associated with the program have been criticized for inhumane methods like gassing animals, which can cause extreme pain and fear.

Despite the outcry, the RSPCA has defended its program, stating that it has improved the welfare of millions of farmed animals. The organization has also pointed to an ongoing review of the Assured scheme, which includes unannounced inspections of over 200 farms. A spokesperson emphasized that any breaches of the welfare standards are taken seriously, with immediate investigations launched when concerns arise.

However, the public trust in the RSPCA has been shaken. The Advertising Standards Agency is currently investigating the charity’s advertisements following complaints that the organization’s claims may be misleading. Critics argue that the RSPCA’s image of ethical farming doesn’t match the reality for many animals under its Assured label. Dale Vince, founder of the green energy company Ecotricity, added his voice to the criticism, describing the charity’s portrayal of farming as “welfare-washing.”

As the RSPCA faces increasing pressure, both from the public and from within its own ranks, there is growing concern about the impact of its certification on the broader conversation about animal welfare. The letter urges the charity to reconsider its role in endorsing an industry that critics say harms both animals and the environment.

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