RSPCA confirms it will not call for farmers involved in the badger cull to be named

The RSPCA has confirmed it will not call for farmers involved in the badger cull to be named following a complaint by the NFU to the Charity Commission.

The NFU raised a number of concerns with the Charity Commission about the RSPCA’s campaigns on the badger cull and its activities relating to live animal exports. The concerns included the RSPCA’s Chief Executive calling for farmers involved in the badger cull to be named and for a boycott of milk from farmers in badger cull areas.

NFU President Peter Kendall said he was pleased with the outcome of the Charity Commission’s investigation.

“We took this step in asking for the Charity Commission to look into the RSPCA’s campaigns on the badger cull and live animal exports after NFU members raised concerns with us. We raised these concerns with the Charity Commission as to whether the RSPCA may have stepped outside the boundaries of the law that applies to charities, and the Charity Commission’s guidance, with some of its recent activities.  We also had very real fears that any farmers named, as called for by the Chief Executive of the RSPCA, would be threatened, intimidated and harassed by others.

“Farmers have always understood the RSPCA to be a charity that works to safeguard the welfare of animals and we have no issues with its charitable work. As a charity, the RSPCA has a privileged status, but it must respect the law that applies to charities and it must abide by Charity Commission guidance.

“I am extremely grateful to the Charity Commission, who took the NFU’s complaint seriously and carried out a thorough investigation of the issues we raised. The RSPCA has now clarified its position on the naming of farmers involved with the badger cull and that it condemns personal intimidation. The RSPCA has also now confirmed that it will not call for a boycott of milk. This gives us some comfort on behalf of our farmer members.”

The Charity Commission has highlighted the need for the RSPCA’s campaigns to be subject to oversight by its trustees, who must assess the reputational risks for the animal charity of controversial campaigns.  The Charity Commission has also clarified that campaigns must be handled responsibly and with proper consideration as to whether any campaign supports or furthers the charity’s purposes.