RSPCA NSW director quits over welfare standards for RSPCA-branded chicken
Summary
The vice-president of RSPCA New South Wales, Mark Steele, has quit the organization because he is unhappy with the welfare standards for RSPCA-certified chicken. He believes the fast-growing breeds used in most chicken meat do not live good lives, even though the RSPCA certification suggests high animal welfare.Key Facts
- Mark Steele was vice-president of RSPCA NSW and a board member since 2021 before resigning in September.
- Steele criticized the RSPCA Certified scheme for endorsing the welfare of 97% of Australian meat chicken raised from fast-growing breeds.
- Almost all of Australia’s 800 million meat chickens are from fast-growing breeds slaughtered by 4 to 6 weeks old, which can cause health problems.
- RSPCA certification is trusted by consumers as a sign of higher animal welfare standards.
- The RSPCA recently updated welfare standards, including lower crowding and ending a certain slaughter method by 2031, but did not require phasing out fast-growing breeds.
- A new optional “enhanced” welfare category encourages slower-growing breeds but does not yet have a consumer label and is voluntary.
- Animal welfare experts note that slower-growing chicken breeds are used in Europe and may cost a bit more but benefit the animals’ health.
- Steele feels it is misleading for consumers to trust RSPCA certification while the organization allows fast-growing breeds to remain common.
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