Brian May has resigned as RSPCA Vice President due to serious animal welfare allegations.
- The ‘RSPCA Assured’ label faces scrutiny over animal welfare standards.
- Investigations reveal overcrowding and abuse on certified farms.
- Brian May calls for the scheme to be scrapped, citing inadequate RSPCA response.
- Animal activists and celebrities also demand action and accountability.
In a significant development, Brian May, legendary guitarist of Queen and a noted animal welfare advocate, has stepped down from his role as Vice President of the RSPCA. His resignation is a direct response to what he describes as “damning evidence” of gross animal welfare deficiencies within the ‘RSPCA Assured’ certification. The certification, which encompasses nearly 4,000 farms and includes major supermarkets like Aldi, Co-op, and Tesco, purports to uphold high welfare standards for meat, egg, and dairy products.
The impetus for May’s decision stems from allegations that have emerged regarding the conditions on more than 40 certified farms. Reports cite overcrowding, poor hygiene, and instances of livestock abuse by farm workers. May expressed his disillusionment with the scheme on social media, stating: “It is with profound sadness and not without massive soul-searching that today I have to offer my resignation as a vice-president of the RSPCA.”
The RSPCA has been criticised for its perceived lack of decisive action in addressing these accusations. In response to mounting evidence, May believes the organisation’s reaction has been wholly insufficient, pushing him to distance himself from the scheme’s ongoing failures. He has publicly demanded that the ‘RSPCA Assured’ label be discontinued. This follows investigative revelations by animal rights groups and rising public pressure for a complete reassessment of the initiative.
Furthermore, prominent figures including Ricky Gervais, Bryan Adams, and Joanna Lumley have joined May in calling for significant reform or abolition of the ‘RSPCA Assured’ scheme. Despite these pressures, the RSPCA’s President, Chris Packham, alongside fellow vice-president Caroline Lucas, has stated their commitment to a complete and independent review before making decisions, describing any immediate resignation as “dishonourable and disingenuous.”
The controversy surrounding ‘RSPCA Assured’ highlights the urgent need for transparency and reform in animal welfare certifications.
