The future of Food and Farming
Low welfare farming is the single biggest animal welfare issue on the planet. The demand for meat, eggs and dairy is massive and growing. To tackle animal suffering on this huge scale we need to significantly reduce the amount of animal products we eat and ensure all remaining animals are farmed to higher welfare standards.
The Problem
Billions of animals suffer in lower welfare farms
Lower welfare farming means farming practices which prioritise maximising production over the welfare of the animals. This can include using confinement systems, such as cages and crates, which provide animals with little space to do the behaviours they enjoy and give their life meaning.
It can also include rearing animals in overcrowded and barren environments, which can lead to stress and boredom. Around 85% of farm animals globally are farmed to lower welfare standards. That’s billions of farm animals suffering each year.
The animals kept in such low welfare systems can also be subject to painful mutilations and bred with the objective to produce as much meat, eggs or milk as possible. All of this can cause unnecessary stress, pain and suffering — this is no life for animals that deserve kindness and respect.
Currently, 94% of people in the UK choose to eat meat, eggs and dairy, and this demand is set to rise. More than three-quarters of the UK’s land is already used for agriculture. If we continue to eat meat, fish, eggs and dairy at our current rate, we simply won’t have the space and will likely have to resort to even more intensive, low welfare methods to meet demand.
We want to achieve a significant reduction in the consumption of animal products by 2050 to reduce animal suffering
We will announce a bold, evidence-based reduction target by the end of 2025.
The Solution
Reduce the need for lower welfare farming
To tackle the huge scale of animal suffering currently present in the lower welfare farming system, we need a significant reduction in the UK's consumption of meat, fish, dairy and eggs.
A significant reduction in the consumption of animal products by 2050 would help drive a huge reduction in animals suffering, by reducing the number of animals being reared in lower welfare farming systems, while supporting climate and environmental targets.
We want to set a bold and evidence-based 2050 target for reducing consumption of meat, eggs and dairy by the end of this year. We would be joining a growing movement of animal protection organisations who have set similar ambitious reduction targets for meat, eggs and dairy consumption over the next 25 years.
We know this is the right thing to do for animals.
This is a complex and urgent global challenge and we can’t solve it alone. We want to work with the public, farmers, supermarkets and food companies, as well as governments and health, environmental and animal protection organisations to build a new, more compassionate approach to food and farming. It will take all of us to make a difference.
Who else is calling a reduction?
Eurogroup for Animals
We’re an active member of this animal advocacy organisation, working with Eurogroup for Animals members across Europe to improve animal welfare through EU legislation.
Eating Better
As part of The Eating Better alliance, we support the Better by Half roadmap, which outlines recommended actions across five sectors to improve animal welfare in the food system.
Compassion in World Farming
Our friends at Compassion in World Farming regularly publish research and articles on potential solutions for a healthy, sustainable, humane food and farming system.
Our Approach
Eat Less, Eat Better
We have been improving the lives of farmed animals for more than 200 years.
The first ever animal protection law, the Cattle Act 1822, was driven by one of our founders, Richard Martin MP.More recently, our pioneering welfare standards for farm animals have driven critical welfare improvements in the farming industry. Our standards were the first to end barren battery cages for hens and veal crates for calves, insist on CCTV in slaughterhouses and drive the use of higher welfare meat chicken breeds.
We will continue to drive up animal welfare standards through our farm assurance scheme - RSPCA Assured - to help improve the lives of millions of animals’ lives right now. Alongside this we’ll continue to campaign for changes in legislation and practice, to change billions of animals’ lives in the future. Yet farming animals in such massive and unsustainable numbers in systems which put maximum production over animal welfare, means billions of animals are suffering, with little or no protection.
For several years, we’ve been encouraging people to Eat Less, Eat Better: To reduce the amount of animal products they eat, and if they do, choose higher welfare RSPCA Assured products.
Fortunately, change is already happening. Millions of people around the world are switching to reducetarian or flexitarian diets, recognising that lowering their meat consumption can bring health benefits, a cleaner planet and, by making the higher welfare choice, a better world for animals.
Farmers are vital and we’ll support them to transition to higher animal welfare, which will become more financially viable as demand for these products increases. There is an opportunity for the government to step up to prevent low welfare imports from abroad, while supporting British farmers with incentives to produce to higher welfare standards, so we are less reliant on imports.
Better for animals, people and the planet
Animal welfare is always our priority but reducing the amount of animal products we eat will also support greenhouse emissions goals, which is better for animals and people alike. Reducing our reliance on low welfare farming will help build a more compassionate food system for animals, people and the planet.
Compared to plant-based products, animal products have significantly higher carbon emissions and land and water footprints. A shift towards plant-based diets, rich in fruit and vegetables, nuts and wholegrains would also reduce the risk of mortality and chronic disease morbidity.
Help shape a better future for farm animals
We’re currently working on a full action plan to achieve this vital goal for animal welfare, which will launch at the end of 2025. If you can’t wait to get involved, there are ways you can help right now: