RSPCA hardline faction behind move to ban angling and horse-racing
THE RSPCA is under the influence of radical animal rights campaigners pushing the 195-year-old institution to lobby for angling and horse-racing to be outlawed, The Sunday Telegraph can disclose. At recent policy committee meetings, Jane Tredgett, the organisation’s vice-chairman, and her allies on the RSPCA’s ruling council have steered the charity, whose patron is the Queen, towards hardline stances against two of Britain’s most popular pastimes.
Insiders say staff and moderate
RSPCA trustees have so far successfully opposed the proposals, which it is feared would jeopardise support and funding for animal welfare work.
However, there is mounting concern that a planned overhaul of the charity’s governance this week will allow Ms Tredgett and her allies to win approval for their campaigns.
To date, the RSPCA has taken a more moderate approach to both pastimes. It has sought to collaborate with the racing industry to improve welfare standards and sought to educate anglers about the risk to wildlife posed by discarded fishing lines and hooks.
At the charity’s annual meeting next Saturday, members are due to vote on reducing the ruling council from 25 trustees to 12. The change would drastically curb the influence of the organisation’s network of regional branches, which tend to oppose attempts to mount controversial political campaigns.
All but three appointees to the new council would be elected by a national
vote of members, opening the door to animal rights activists, RSPCA sources fear.
Ms Tredgett has worked in training for bodies including British Gas, the NHS and AT&T for the past 30 years, at one stage winning Bedfordshire Business Woman of the Year award.
She was instrumental in the appointment last year of Chris Sherwood as RSPCA chief executive, against internal opposition. Mr Sherwood, the eighth holder of the £150,000-a-year post in 11 years, came from Relate, the much smaller counselling charity, and was viewed as a campaigning rather than an animal welfare appointment.
Following a degree in biological sciences, Ms Tredgett worked in the sales and marketing departments of the drug maker Beechams.
Ms Tredgett, who lives near Goole, east Yorks, has spent the past two decades volunteering for animal charities, including her local pet rescue.
Her current allies on the RSPCA council include Bob Baylis, a devoted supporter of Jeremy Corbyn who has allegedly offended colleagues with criticism of the Queen.
According to his RSPCA biography, Mr Baylis began his career as an organic smallholder in Norfolk, supplying goats’ milk and other produce to health food stores in the area. His commitment to animal rights dates back to the early Eighties, when he was a director of Animal Aid and BUAV.
When contacted by The Telegraph, Mr Baylis referred all questions to the RSPCA, though when asked if he had criticised the Queen during RSPCA council meetings, he said: “I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous.”
Ms Tredgett did not respond to requests for comment.
Asked if the RSPCA had considered campaigning for angling and horse racing to be outlawed, a spokesman said: “All our policies are regularly reviewed and things will have been discussed... Regular discussions do take place on all topics regarding animal welfare.
“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.
“The changes to our governance, which will be voted on next week, are designed to modernise the charity’s governance, bringing us in line with other large national charities, as shown by the recent appointment of three new coopted trustees with diverse experience and skills from the business, public and charity sector.”