RSPCA Assured has marked 29 years since it was founded. The farm animal assurance scheme was created in 1994 as Freedom Food with a focus on improving animal welfare in agriculture and aquaculture farming systems.
Since the launch of the scheme, consumer awareness of animal welfare has risen, with recent consumer polling by the charity showing that 69% of consumers consider animal welfare a key issue for them.
Mike Baker, chief executive of RSPCA Assured, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating this important milestone today and looking forward to our big 30th birthday next year. It’s a great time to recognise the huge strides that RSPCA Assured has taken over the 29 years it has been in existence.
“We’re now focused on building on this success and pushing ahead to reach our ambitious goal of at least half of all farmed animals in the UK being reared to the RSPCA’s welfare standards by 2030.”
The RSPCA’s Science and Policy team develops and regularly updates detailed welfare standards for each of the major animal species farmed in the UK.