The Charity Commission has concluded that the RSPCA’s campaigns against the badger cull and live animal exports were not in breach of its objectives.

A complaint about the charity’s campaigning activities was made by the National Farmers Union (NFU) in February 2013.

The Commission has now closed this case against the animal welfare charity and concluded that: “We are satisfied that it is reasonable for the RSPCA to decide that campaigning against the badger cull and live animal exports is justified in furtherance of its objectives.”

Mike Tomlinson, chair of the RSPCA’s council of trustees, said: “In a week which has seen the start of the badger cull pilot, we are unsurprised that the Charity Commission has found no grounds whatsoever for the NFU’s complaint.

“The RSPCA only ever conducted campaigns to further the charity’s animal welfare purposes in a lawful manner. In relation to our badger cull and live animal export campaigns, the RSPCA will continue to be a strong, loud and ethical voice.”

During its assessment of the complaint, the Commission advised that advocating actions that could lead to individuals being harmed “could not be justified as a means to further the charity’s objectives” and asked the RSPCA for a statement regarding the naming of farmers. The Commission also confirmed with the charity that it would not call for a milk boycott. 

The RSPCA told the Commission, and has reiterated in a media statement, that it does not advocate the naming of famers involved in the badger cull, which began this week, and will not call fro a milk boycott.

The NFU welcomed the outcome too. Its president Peter Kendall said: “I am extremely grateful to the Charity Commission, who took the NFU’s complaint seriously and carried out a thorough investigation of the issues we raised. The RSPCA has now clarified its position…This gives us some comfort on behalf of our farmer members.”

In the next few weeks the Commission expects to meet with the RSPCA to discuss the wider issues raised by the case.