Chris Packham, the wildlife presenter who’s never been shy about calling out injustice, has officially stepped down as president of the RSPCA.
His reason? The charity’s farm animal welfare scheme is failing, and he says enough is enough.
This bombshell announcement came after Animal Rising exposed shocking abuse at RSPCA-approved abattoirs.
Packham, who has built his career on speaking up for animals, didn’t hold back. “I love animals too much to stay silent,” he said in a statement.
“It’s Not Working”
Speaking on BBC Radio 4, Packham explained that this wasn’t an easy decision. The RSPCA does a lot of great work, he said, but their Assured scheme, designed to uphold higher welfare standards for farm animals, just isn’t cutting it.
“They’re exposed time and again because farms aren’t meeting those standards,” he said. “The assurance schemes are broken, and they’re propping up an industry I believe we need to move away from.”
Packham’s vision for the future? A world where plant-based diets replace animal agriculture. And he’s adamant that the RSPCA should be leading that charge, not lagging behind.
He’s Not Alone
Former Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, also a vice president at the RSPCA, stepped down too. Like Packham, she was horrified by the findings from Animal Rising’s undercover investigation.
The footage, gathered from four RSPCA-approved abattoirs, painted a grim picture.
- Pigs improperly stunned, some left conscious during slaughter.
- Workers abusing animals with banned electric prods.
- Terrified cows watching others being killed.
Lucas called the abuse “unbearable to witness” and slammed the RSPCA for not tackling the root of the problem.
What Went Wrong?
Animal Rising didn’t mince words in their report. They said the RSPCA’s assurance scheme is broken at its core. Sure, it sets higher standards than the law requires, but the reality? Those standards aren’t being enforced.
The RSPCA has suspended the abattoirs involved and promised more unannounced inspections, but for Packham and Lucas, that’s too little, too late.
The RSPCA’s Response
The RSPCA insists it’s doing the best it can in a tough industry. “No one else is setting and regularly monitoring welfare standards on farms,” a spokesperson said.
They highlighted their past wins, banning barren battery cages, investing £2 million to improve oversight and pushing for better living conditions for farmed animals.
But critics aren’t convinced. Packham said he’s been fighting for reform for years and hasn’t seen “any meaningful change.” Lucas agrees, saying the current system risks misleading the public and legitimising cruelty.
A Bigger Fight
This controversy shines a spotlight on a bigger issue: how do we treat farmed animals in the UK? Packham and Lucas believe the answer lies in moving away from animal agriculture entirely. And they’re not waiting around for the RSPCA to catch up.
Packham’s parting message to the charity he once proudly served? Lead the fight. Be bold. And most importantly, don’t let your mission get lost in the noise.
Suggested read: 8 Eye-Opening Facts About Factory Farming That Will Make You Go Vegan
Jac has been vegan for 15 years – long enough to wonder if tofu owes her a loyalty card. Hailing from Scotland, she enjoys the breathtaking scenery and believes vegan haggis deserves more appreciation. A proud mum to a curious and energetic daughter, Jac spends her time hiking scenic trails, devouring books, practicing yoga, honing her badminton skills, and creating colourful artwork with her trusty colouring pens. She’s passionate about living a vibrant, compassionate, and cruelty-free life, all while championing the magic of tofu.
It’s heartening to see figures like Packham and Lucas standing for what they believe, especially in the face of undercover reports. If the RSPCA’s schemes aren’t cutting it, it’s crucial we look for better standards. We owe it to the animals and our conscience.
Does anyone know what the specific failings were in the RSPCA’s scheme? It’s one thing to claim it’s broken, but I’d like to know the details.
The undercover investigation by Animal Rising pointed out serious lapses in enforcement and monitoring, which essentially makes the higher welfare standards moot.
i think its all just too complicated. why can’t everyone just treat animals nice? doesn’t take much to be kind.
This is a tough one, ain’t it? On one hand, you’ve got the RSPCA trying their best in a difficult industry. On the other, we’re seeing that maybe their best isn’t enough. The thing is, agriculture, especially animal farming, is a world of its own with its own rules. Maybe it’s time we all started looking for alternative ways to handle this, like moving towards plant-based solutions or finding more ethical ways to farm. It’s never gonna be easy, but conversations like this are the start.