RSPCA Victoria inquiry: Egg farmer allegedly threatened with boycott over caged eggs campaign

THE RSPCA should be stripped of funding and powers after a “false” campaign against duck hunting, the Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia has told a parliamentary inquiry.

UPDATE: The Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia has called on the Victorian Government to strip the RSPCA of all its funding and powers after its “false advertising” campaign against duck hunting and their “irreconcilable conflict of interest”.

The SSA was among several organisations hitting out during a parliamentary inquiry into the organisation, raising “serious concerns” over the activism and campaigning carried out by RSPCA Victoria.

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Hunting development manager David Laird said the RSPCA’s position was “completely untenable” due to its ongoing lobbying of animal activism issues and accused the organisation of attempting to sway public opinion and affect laws.

“(Campaigning) absolutely destroys their credibility,” Mr Laird said. “Animal welfare activities must be carried out in an unbiased manner,” he said.

Earlier, the RSPCA came under fire after key industry stakeholders raised “serious concerns” over the activism and campaigning carried out by the charity.

Duck hunters have also hit out at the RSPCA. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

The RSPCA has been accused of attempting to phase out caged egg production and threatening to boycott caged egg brands among other “activism campaigns” during a public hearing today.

The shocking allegation was outlined in a letter sent by RSPCA Australia to egg farmers earlier this year and was brought to light during a public hearing which is examining the funding and inspectorate powers of RSPCA Victoria.

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The letter, dated April 5 and signed by RSPCA Australia’s chief executive Heather Neil, called on egg farmers to meet to discuss the phasing out of conventional caged egg production.

“We do not see a long-term future for conventional cage systems in Australia and believe they should be phased out,” the letter read.

Victorian Farmers Federation egg producer group vice president Brian Ahmed told the inquiry when he contacted Ms Neil by phone, he was told “that if the farmers don’t agree, we’ll boycott your brand”.

The farming sector says it has lost respect for the RSPCA after its campaign against caged eggs. Picture: Viktor Drachev

Mr Ahmed, who has been in the egg production industry for almost 50 years, said the RSPCA had lost its respect in the farming sector.

“The RSPCA needs to decide whether they want to be a campaign organisation or a regulator who has the powers to police the law,” Mr Ahmed said.

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RSPCA Victoria’s participation in animal activism campaigns was also criticised by Dogs Victoria, the peak body for registered dog owners and breeders in the state.

Dogs Victoria chief executive Dr Tim Adams denied there was a “turf war” between the organisations and said he had at times “been frustrated” with the RSPCA’s lack of transparency and communication.

Dr Adams said there had been a “shift in ideology” within the organisation over the past decade and needed to avoid being “sidetracked by animal rights activists’ campaigns”.

“The fundamental challenge at the RSPCA has is that because is funding is sourced through charitable donations, they have to stay relevant … and campaigning is a way for them of staying relevant,” Dr Adams said.

The hearing continues.

@GenevieveAlison