RSPCA reports influx in its Freedom Food scheme

The RSPCA has reported a 52% increase in the number of animals farmed under its Freedom Food farm assurance scheme over the last five years, despite poultry numbers falling in 2011.

Animal numbers on the scheme have increased by 26 million in the last five years, from 49 million in 2006 to more than 75 million last year.

Even though this represents just 8% of the total UK animal population Freedom Food says it is proof ethical shoppers remain committed to farm animal despite austerity.

However overall the numbers of poultry species on the scheme fell last year, with duck declining the most at 28%, followed by egg-laying hens and turkeys at 6.28% and 10% respectively.

In total the number of chickens assured under the scheme has risen by 60% over the previous five years and now accounts for 5% of the 860m chickens farmed each year in the UK.

“With some animals like ducks and turkeys dropping in number last year, there is clearly still much more work to do,” said Leigh Grant, chief executive of the RSPCA Freedom Food.

“And we need people to help us,” he added. “The more shoppers who demand Freedom Food products, the more supermarkets will stock them and more farm animals will have a better.”