Ben Newman on campaigning against the RSPCA and the role of welfare labels
Jan 21, 2025
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Ben Newman, co-director of Animal Rising and seasoned animal welfare activist, shares insights from his disruptive protest experiences. He discusses the controversial campaign against the RSPCA, arguing its welfare labeling may mislead the public about animal farming practices. Newman also highlights the challenges of mass arrests in activism, advocating for targeted strategies that foster effective public engagement. The conversation touches on legal risks of direct action rescues and the need for unified advocacy in the face of evolving animal rights complexities.
The podcast critiques the RSPCA's Assurance Scheme, arguing that it legitimizes animal farming and perpetuates meat consumption despite internal and external criticisms.
Activists reflect on the evolution of direct action within the animal advocacy movement, emphasizing the need for diverse strategies to sustain public interest and prevent burnout.
The discussion highlights grassroots initiatives aimed at promoting plant-based environments, emphasizing community organization as vital for fostering significant changes in dietary habits and animal welfare awareness.
Deep dives
Challenges Within Large NGOs
Large NGOs, such as the RSPCA, often face significant challenges due to their size and institutional inertia. The podcast discusses how organizations like the RSPCA may focus more on self-preservation rather than driving meaningful change. This insularity can lead to a reluctance to address issues within their operations, even when faced with internal or external criticism. The speakers emphasize that pushing for reform within such conservative organizations can be both a frustrating and eye-opening experience.
Direct Action and Its Evolution
The evolution of direct action tactics within animal advocacy movements is highlighted as organizations adapt to the outcomes of their previous strategies. Participants reflect on the unsustainability of mass arrests, noting that while such strategies garnered attention, they risk burnout among activists and diminishing public interest over time. With experiences ranging from rescuing beagles to disruptive protests at major events, activists have learned that a varied approach is essential for maintaining momentum in the movement. They are now focusing on integrating a range of tactics to create a more sustainable and effective advocacy model.
RSPCA's Assurance Scheme Campaign
The campaign against the RSPCA's Assurance Scheme is framed as both a strategic decision and a deeply contentious issue within the animal advocacy community. The belief is that the RSPCA, as a prominent animal welfare organization, provides societal legitimacy to animal farming, which ultimately supports higher rates of meat consumption. The speakers assert that targeting such a well-known institution allows for heightened public awareness and potential shifts in consumer behavior regarding animal welfare and meat consumption. By advocating for the RSPCA to disassociate from meat production, the campaign aims to promote a more critical view of animal welfare standards.
Future Directions for Animal Advocacy
Looking ahead, the podcast discusses potential new campaigns targeting the oppressive practices within the pig farming industry, particularly focusing on gas chambers used for slaughter. There is a sense of urgency to align various branches of the animal advocacy movement to address such pressing issues with unified strength. By leveraging past successes and partnerships developed during the RSPCA campaign, advocates aim to create a systematic approach that tackles industry standards while raising public awareness. The discussions underscore the importance of strategic planning, collaboration, and direct action to achieve meaningful reforms in animal welfare policy.
Transformative Impact of Plant-Based Initiatives
The podcast explores the initiatives centered around creating plant-based environments in various institutions, including universities and councils. There is an emphasis on organizing communities to support 100% plant-based catering, effectively transforming dining experiences and dietary choices over time. This grassroots approach is described as a crucial strategy for empowering individuals towards activism and facilitating widespread change in dietary habits. The leaders behind these initiatives believe that instilling strong values of animal welfare and environmental sustainability at the community level can lead to significant progress towards a more ethical food system.
Ben Newman has had a colourful past few years, being one of Animal Rising’s co-directors and being arrested multiple times for various bits of direct action and disruptive protest.
Now, Animal Rising has turned its attention to campaign against the RSPCA, the world’s largest animal charity, for running the RSPCA Assured scheme. This has been quite a divisive campaign within the animal advocacy movement, with some, including both co-hosts, having fairly big questions about the effectiveness of this campaign.
00:00:00:00 | Intro 00:04:55:02 | Direct Action Rescues 00:10:01:20 | Mass Arrests Strategy 00:13:40:07 | RSPCA Assured 00:19:19:10 | End of Animal Farming? 00:28:24:12 | RSPCA Scheme Shutdown 00:35:19:01 | Public Opinion on RSPCA 00:45:41:18 | Slaughterhouse Investigations 00:50:24:08 | Social Media Controversy 00:55:36:06 | Animal Rising in 2025 01:02:29:10 | Closing Questions
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