Legendary musician Brian May has announced his resignation as the vice president of the RSPCA due to what he described as “appalling” animal welfare standards in farms certified under the organisation’s scheme. The RSPCA Assured label, which signals that meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products meet strict standards exceeding UK legal requirements, is now under review by the animal welfare entity. With nearly 4,000 farms participating in the scheme to showcase their advanced animal welfare practices to supermarket customers, May, a prominent animal rights activist and Queen guitarist, shared his resignation letter on Instagram.
Expressing deep regret and after careful consideration, May highlighted concerns over the inadequate response of the RSPCA to complaints regarding poor animal welfare standards in member farms of the RSPCA Assured scheme. Allegations include overcrowding, poor hygiene, and in some cases, physical abuse of livestock by farm workers. The musician emphasised the need to dismantle the supervision of the scheme given its failure to uphold high standards.
Following May’s resignation, RSPCA President Chris Packham called for the suspension of the scheme. In response, an RSPCA spokeswoman acknowledged May’s dedication to animal welfare causes and respected his decision while stating differences in approaches to resolving complex challenges. The organisation emphasised the importance of maintaining high animal welfare standards in farming, noting that RSPCA Assured undergoes regular independent reviews to ensure superior welfare practices.
May’s departure from his role as vice president signifies a significant development in the ongoing efforts to uphold animal welfare standards in the agricultural industry. The RSPCA remains committed to addressing concerns raised and maintaining accountability within its certification scheme for the benefit of animals and consumers alike.