RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme
RSPCA INVITES PRODUCERS TO JOIN THE RSPCA APPROVED FARMING SCHEME
Producers and licensees can now apply to be part of the new RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme, a program endorsing welfare-friendly egg and pork production.
The Scheme replaces the former RSPCA Accreditation Scheme and covers eggs and pork that have been produced to the RSPCA's high animal welfare standards.
"Egg producers or pig farmers whose farms meet RSPCA standards can join as can companies marketing products supplied by RSPCA Approved producers," said RSPCA Australia CEO Heather Neil.
"Since the RSPCA launched its accreditation scheme in the mid 1990s, consumer awareness of welfare-friendly products has increased rapidly. Demand for these products is only going to grow.
"We're already seeing major hotel chains and restaurants in Australia making the conscious decision to stop using cage eggs so demand has certainly shifted beyond the grocery store.
"Our refreshed RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme comes after an exhaustive review of our standards for both layer hens and pigs.
"These standards are much higher than those required by law or recommended by model codes of practice but they are also practical and considerate of the commercial realities of large scale egg and pork production.
"Importantly, on RSPCA Approved farms, animals are kept in a way that allows them to express their full range of natural behaviours. Battery cages and sow stalls are not allowed and stocking densities are considerate of the animal's behavioural, physiological and social needs.
"Products endorsed by the RSPCA are stamped with the RSPCA Paw of Approval so consumers can easily identify eggs and pork from these high welfare farming systems."
All the information producers and licensees need to join the scheme is available online at www.rspca.org.au as are the RSPCA's standards for layer hens and pigs.
Download: RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme