Exhibiting at International Food & Drink Event (IFE) 2025

RSPCA Assured Limited is the leading farm animal welfare assurance scheme in the United Kingdom, operated under the auspices of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). Founded to improve the lives of farm animals and provide consumers with a trusted welfare label, RSPCA Assured certifies farms, abattoirs, hauliers, and food manufacturers that meet or exceed the RSPCA’s strict welfare standards.

Core Mission and Operations

RSPCA Assured’s core mission is to ensure that animals are reared, transported, and slaughtered with the highest levels of welfare. The organization provides third-party certification for farms and food businesses, enabling products to carry the RSPCA Assured label, which signals compliance with the RSPCA’s science-based welfare standards.

Headquartered in Horsham, West Sussex, RSPCA Assured operates throughout the UK and collaborates with retailers, foodservice providers, and producers to influence supply chains and improve transparency.

Services and Certification Scope

RSPCA Assured certifies across a wide range of species and farm types, covering:

• Chickens (broilers and layers)
• Turkeys
• Pigs
• Ducks
• Beef and dairy cattle
• Sheep
• Salmon and trout (aquaculture)

The scheme covers the entire supply chain, including:

• Farms and rearing units
• Transport and logistics
• Slaughterhouses and processors
• Food products (fresh, frozen, processed)

Certification involves regular inspections, unannounced audits, and continuous monitoring to maintain animal welfare compliance.

Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

RSPCA Assured distinguishes itself from other food assurance schemes by:

• Applying RSPCA’s higher welfare standards, developed by animal welfare scientists and veterinarians
• Offering full traceability from farm to fork
• Providing consumers with a trustworthy label backed by over 200 years of RSPCA expertise
• Educating consumers and food businesses on ethical farming practices

Products with the RSPCA Assured label give consumers confidence that animals were treated humanely at every stage.

Financials and Market Position

As a nonprofit certification body, RSPCA Assured reinvests its income into promoting animal welfare. Public filings and organizational reports show:

• Annual revenue (2022): Approximately £5.6 million
• Inspection partners: Independent auditing bodies, such as NSF International and Acoura
• Certified members: Over 3,900 farms, representing more than 120 million animals annually
• Certified products are sold in major UK retailers such as:
  • Sainsbury’s
  • Marks & Spencer
  • Aldi
  • Waitrose
  • Co-op

Impact and Reach

RSPCA Assured plays a vital role in shaping ethical food sourcing in the UK:

• Over 50% of UK egg-laying hens are under RSPCA Assured certification
• Approximately 90% of Scottish farmed salmon is certified by RSPCA Assured
• Hundreds of millions of units of RSPCA Assured-labelled products are sold annually in the UK retail and foodservice sectors

The scheme’s growth reflects increasing consumer demand for transparency and higher welfare standards in animal farming.

Capabilities and Infrastructure

• Digital traceability systems integrated into certified supply chains
• On-site inspections and remote audits for continual compliance
• Education programs for farmers and supply chain partners
• Marketing and public awareness campaigns to promote welfare-labelled products

RSPCA Assured provides training and resources to help producers meet and exceed required welfare benchmarks.

Certifications and Standards

RSPCA Assured certification is based on RSPCA’s welfare standards, which align with or exceed:

• UK and EU animal welfare legislation
• Global animal welfare science
• Retailer-specific requirements for higher welfare sourcing

In addition to animal-specific criteria, the scheme also evaluates:

• Environmental enrichment
• Feed and nutrition
• Housing conditions
• Slaughter and handling protocols

All certified farms and facilities undergo regular audits by independent third-party inspectors.

Consumer Perception and Testimonials

Surveys and retail data indicate strong consumer trust in the RSPCA Assured label:

• Over 70% of UK shoppers recognize the label and associate it with high animal welfare standards
• Trust scores consistently rank above 80% in consumer perception studies
• Food brands using the label have reported increased sales and customer loyalty

Public endorsements and campaigns with celebrity chefs and food advocates have further elevated the profile of the scheme.

Achievements and Recognition

• Named one of the most trusted food labels in the UK by IGD and Which?
• Developed the world’s first comprehensive welfare standards for farmed fish
• Won multiple awards for sustainability and transparency in food production
• Partnered with major UK supermarkets to expand ethical sourcing initiatives
• Played a key role in legislative advocacy for improved animal welfare in the UK and EU

RSPCA Assured continues to be a gold standard in farm animal welfare certification, empowering producers and consumers to make choices that align with compassion, ethics, and food integrity.