By Matthew Cawood – The Land

THE agriculture sector should adopt the RSPCA as an ally that can help it short-circuit future community concerns about animal welfare, RSPCA chairperson Lynne Bradshaw believes.

The RSPCA is one of Australia’s most powerful brands, Mrs Bradshaw told Fairfax Agricultural Media, and is the face of community aspirations concerning animal welfare.

Standing up against the RSPCA is standing up against the community, she believes. RSPCA engagement in improving agricultural practices, on the other hand, will help the sector address the more sensational attacks of the animal rights movement.

Mrs Bradshaw feels it has suited some in the live export industry to lump RSPCA in with the animal rights groups, but she insists there is a big difference.

“People who join the organisation have to realise that we aren’t anti-farming. Our charter isn’t against using animals for food and fibre. That’s different to the animal rights groups, who say we shouldn’t be using animals for food,” she said.