Farmed animals must be provided with shelter, freedom to exercise, food, water, rest and care appropriate to their physiological and behavioural needs.

  • The NSPCA is opposed to mutilations carried out for commercial or non-therapeutic reasons, especially those carried out in an attempt to “adapt” animals to an inappropriate husbandry system; in such cases it is the system that should be modified, not the animal.*
  • The NSPCA advocates that humane slaughter be undertaken as near as possible to the place of rearing or residence.
  • Every animal for slaughter should be instantaneously killed or rendered instantaneously unconscious and insensible to pain until death occurs.
  • The NSPCA advocates the proper training of slaughter staff, and the introduction of a licensing system based on the successful completion of a course of instruction together with the necessary practical experience.
  • The NSPCA advocates for mandatory installation of CCTV systems in all slaughter facilities.
  • The NSPCA is opposed to ritual slaughter where pre-stunning does not take place.
  • The NSPCA is opposed to the use of yield and growth promoters in animals believing that such use is against their welfare interests.
  • The NSPCA is opposed to any system of husbandry which denies the animal freedom to exhibit natural, species-appropriate Animals should be provided with an environment which does includes adequate environmental enrichment, social interaction where appropriate, and opportunities for exploration, foraging, exercise, rest, and other natural activities.
  • The NSPCA is opposed to breeding or breeding programmes which cause, or are likely to cause, suffering or damage to either animals or their offspring.
  • The NSPCA opposes the farming of exotic species adaptable to our climate, or to Irish farm conditions.
  • As current scientific evidence supports the view that all fish are capable of experiencing pain, suffering, distress and other affective states, the NSPCA believes that the welfare of individual fish must be provided for in fish- farming; in particular the handling, transport and slaughter of fish must comply with general humane principles, including attention to water quality and stocking density.
  • The NSPCA supports schemes for the conservation of fish stocks and research into more humane and environmentally responsible methods of commercial fishing.
  • Recognising that there is a growing body of evidence that challenges the assumption that insects are not sentient, the NSPCA believes that, until we have evidence to understand whether insects are sentient, farmed insects should be treated as sentient animals and legislation put in place to safeguard their welfare.
  • The NSPCA recognises that effective identification, registration, and traceability are fundamental to safeguarding equine welfare. The NSPCA supports the compulsory identification and registration of all equines through a fully digital identification and traceability system that enables real-time updates of ownership, location of residence, and Equine Premises Numbers (EPNs). Note to (*): The NSPCA recognises that there are cases were such mutilations are necessary to prevent likely injury to or suffering of either humans or other animals. In such cases it is essential that the mutilation does not in any way jeopardise the long-term health or well-being of the animal.