Brian May, renowned Queen guitarist, resigns as RSPCA vice president.
- Allegations of animal welfare failings at ‘RSPCA Assured’-certified farms surface.
- Evidence points to overcrowding, poor hygiene, and animal abuse.
- May criticises RSPCA’s response as inadequate, calls for scheme termination.
- Prominent figures and activists echo concerns, demand reforms.
Brian May, the celebrated guitarist of Queen, has resigned from his position as vice president of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). This decision follows the emergence of damning evidence highlighting animal welfare failures at farms certified by the ‘RSPCA Assured’ scheme.
The ‘RSPCA Assured’ certification was designed to ensure consumers that meat, eggs, or dairy products meet high standards of animal welfare. However, serious allegations have been made regarding poor conditions at more than 40 certified farms. These include issues of overcrowding, poor hygiene, and physical abuse of animals by farm workers.
In response to the allegations, May took to Instagram to publicly announce his resignation, expressing profound sadness and highlighting the inadequacy of the RSPCA’s actions. He stated, “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.” He further argued that the scheme has failed and should be terminated.
Animal rights groups have supported May’s stance, having conducted their own investigations across over 200 farms within the certification scheme. They have urged RSPCA president Chris Packham to resign. However, Packham, along with vice-president Caroline Lucas, has resisted these calls, stating that it would be “dishonourable and disingenuous” to step down before a full independent review is conducted.
This controversy has attracted significant attention, with public figures such as Ricky Gervais, Bryan Adams, and Joanna Lumley joining the call for stricter reforms and oversight of the RSPCA Assured programme.
The resignation of Brian May underscores the urgent need for reform in animal welfare certification.
