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FAQ Standards

Why can’t the RSPCA prosecute farmers for keeping animals in battery cages, sow stalls and farrowing crates?

Unfortunately, there are common practices in livestock farming that don’t meet farm animals’ behavioural, social, or physiological needs but ...

How is the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme trying to improve bobby calf welfare?

Raising non-replacement dairy calves for veal or beef, that would otherwise be considered a by-product of the dairy industry and destined for slaughte...

Will the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme introduce standards for beef cattle and sheep?

The nature of beef and lamb farming in Australia means that animals generally aren’t affected by the same welfare concerns related to behavioural re...

Does the RSPCA’s Standard for farmed Atlantic salmon address the potential environmental impact of aquaculture?

Aquaculture companies producing certified RSPCA Approved salmon in addition to meeting government regulations, must demonstrate ongoing compliance wit...

Why does the RSPCA have a Standard for farmed Atlantic salmon?

Aquaculture remains one of the fastest-growing animal protein production sectors in the world, so as an animal welfare organisation, the RSPCA conside...

Is free range better than RSPCA Approved?

Good animal welfare isn’t just about outdoor access or stocking density – as these factors alone don’t necessarily improve animal welfare, nor d...

Does RSPCA Approved certification mean free range?

The RSPCA’s detailed animal welfare standards allow farming systems that can house animals in enriched indoor environments; or in a large shed with ...

How are the RSPCA’s standards developed?

The RSPCA’s standards exist solely to improve farm animal welfare. They are detailed and focus on providing good housing conditions for animals (whe...

How do RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme standards compare with the law?

The RSPCA’s Approved Farming Scheme standards go well beyond legal requirements. See what the RSPCA’s animal welfare standards mean for each speci...

Are the RSPCA’s standards the highest possible?

Our standards set a higher level for animal welfare by aiming to give some of Australia’s most intensively farmed animals a better quality of life, ...