TIM Pinney (You Say, September 27) claims that, under the RSPCA's Freedom Food scheme, animals can be transported for up to 10 hours without food or water. This is not the case.
We care deeply about the welfare of the 750m farm animals reared yearly in the UK.
Eggs, meat and dairy produce carrying the Freedom Food label provides an assurance to consumers that the products they are buying have been produced from animals which have been reared, transported and slaughtered according to strict welfare standards compiled and monitored by the RSPCA.
In producing these standards, we have taken the advice of experts.
These welfare standards are based on the basic freedoms which the RSPCA wants to ensure all farm animals enjoy - freedom from fear and distress; from pain, injury and disease; from hunger, thirst and discomfort, and the freedom to express normal behaviour.
The RSPCA has long campaigned for meat to be transported "on the hook not the hoof". The closure of local abattoirs has been detrimental to the welfare of animals.
The Society believes smaller abattoirs must be supported financially or given incentives to maintain standards, and more work should be done to review the situation regarding abattoir facilities.
Freedom Food accredited farmers and producers must be linked with an accredited haulier and abattoir and, in the case of eggs, an accredited packing or processing station, before the product can be sold bearing the Freedom Food logo.
JO CUNNINGHAM,
Regional Press Officer, RSPCA.
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