THE RSPCA is not Animals Australia. That's the clear message from RSPCA national president Lynne Bradshaw.
Ms Bradshaw, who attended an Animals Australia function 'An evening with Lyn White' recently, said RSPCA did not share the same views on vegetarianism that Animals Australia does.
"Animals Australia has readily identified itself as a promoter of a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle," Ms Bradshaw said.
"The RSPCA is not a vegetarian organisation but is all about improved animal welfare standards.
"The RSPCA does not agree entirely with the philosophy of Animals Australia.
"Some of Lyn White's comments were not reflective of the RSPCA at all.
"I don't believe in forcing personal beliefs down people's throats - that is not going to work.
"But I have respect for the work she has done to highlight welfare issues."
Following the live cattle export saga last year, many producers and industry representatives had linked the RSPCA with groups such as Animals Australia.
But Ms Bradshaw, after attending Ms White's speech, said the RSPCA had a different view and did not support a push towards vegetarianism.
"I believe, as a society, we need to take a realistic attitude towards food production," she said.
"One of those realistic goals is the humane production of food, whether it is eggs, meat, dairy or other products.
"The encouraging thing from where I stand is that many producers are seeing the benefits in producing higher welfare foods in terms of the longevity of their industry."
Ms Bradshaw was also a guest speaker at the WA Lot Feeders Association (WALFA) Better Beef conference in Karlgarin last week and said it was important that RSPCA worked with industry, government, producers and other animal welfare groups to best increase animal welfare standards.
"I think it has achieved the first goal of bringing groups together in a discussion forum and acting on recommendations from all parties is the next step," she said.
"But I must stress we need to be realistic about these goals, I understand people's livelihoods are at stake."
Ms Bradshaw said consumers want increased welfare standards in their food production and many primary producers are acknowledging this and taking steps in the right direction.
"Most people want to eat meat and they want to know it is produced humanely," she said.
"I believe there is still further work to be done in terms of educating the public.
"I spoke to many cattle producers during the live export campaign and none of them want to see their cattle treated the way they were treated in countries like Indonesia and Kuwait.
"The RSPCA wants pre-slaughter stunning as mandatory in countries like Indonesia.
"I am realistic enough to know this is going to take a lot of work and that is why I am working across the board with government and producers to ensure Australia is seen a leader in animal welfare standards."
Ms Bradshaw met with a number of lotfeeders such as WALFA president Ivan Rogers and vice president Trevor Hinck during her trip to the Better Beef conference and said she found the day "inspiring."
"The reason I found it inspiring was because of peoples' willingness to embrace animal welfare and it proved to me that the partnership of animal welfare will work," she said.
