Backlash against RSPCA over push to ban sports
RURAL groups and sporting associations have hit back at moves by radical animal rights activists to push the RSPCA to campaign for a ban on fishing and horse racing.
The Sunday Telegraph has revealed that key figures on the charity’s ruling body are attempting to steer it towards taking a hardline stance against two of Britain’s most popular pastimes.
But that has threatened to lead to a backlash from groups representing millions of anglers, as well as the thousands who work in the horse racing industry and enjoy watching it.
They are now understood to be lobbying behind the scenes for the RSPCA not to take a more radical turn.
In a letter to the RSPCA seen by this newspaper, the Angling Trust, which represents game, coarse and sea an
‘It would be good to hear that the RSPCA does not intend to seek to ban angling and criminalise two million people’
glers in England and Wales, said: “Far from launching attacks on anglers and angling, we would hope those who care for the future of our wildlife would want to work with us.
“It would be good to hear confirmation from you directly that the RSPCA does not intend to seek to ban angling and to criminalise up to two million people who enjoy this pastime.”
In a statement, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) said: “British racing has a long history of collaboration with recognised welfare organisations, which over recent years has resulted in a number of measured, evidence-based enhancements to the sport’s high welfare standards.”
Moderate elements within the charity are understood to be concerned that any moves to campaign against horse racing would threaten to undermine its relationship with the Queen, its patron, who is a lover of country pursuits. It also raises questions over whether that royal patronage, first granted by Queen Victoria in 1840, can continue when the Prince of Wales becomes king. In 2016, The Telegraph revealed that Prince Charles had privately raised his concerns that the emphasis of the charity was moving away from animal welfare towards campaigning.
The RSPCA has until now taken a more moderate approach to both pastimes, by working with the bodies to improve welfare standards.
But a group of activists on the charity’s ruling council, including Jane Tredgett, its vice-chairman, are understood to be seeking to persuade it to take a tougher line. Ms Tredgett’s current allies on the RSPCA council include Bob Baylis, a supporter of Jeremy Corbyn who has allegedly offended colleagues with criticism of the Queen.
According to his RSPCA biography, his commitment to animal rights dates back to the early Eighties, when he was a director of Animal Aid and the anti animal experiments group BUAV, now Cruelty Free International.
An RSPCA spokesman said: “We won’t go into details of our discussions but regular discussions do take place on all topics regarding animal welfare.”
The charity added: “The RSPCA has no plans to campaign for a ban on angling or horse racing. We work constructively with the relevant bodies in these sectors to improve animal welfare standards.”
Mr Baylis referred all questions to the RSPCA and dismissed reports he had criticised the Queen during RSPCA council meetings, saying: “I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous in my entire life.” Ms Tredgett did not respond to requests for comment.