The RSPCA has said farmers should be paid subsidies in the form of a two-tiered system designed to help them adopt to higher animal welfare standards.
The charity has released a report which sets out how the Government can turn its vision for a post-Brexit higher welfare farm payment system into reality.
It says that 82 percent of the public want farm subsidies to help farmers achieve higher animal welfare.
The RSPCA proposes that the new farm support system, due to come into effect from next year, should be targeted at farmers who want to improve welfare.
The animal-welfare charity notes that there is currently no market incentive for them to do so.
The scheme would be a two-tiered system designed to set farmers on a "manageable journey" towards adopting higher farm animal welfare standards.
Tier One is the "transitional payment" tier whereby payments would be awarded to producers for implementing measures, such as to build new, modern housing to meet higher welfare standards, and to implement programmes to improve animal health and welfare, as a first step towards meeting the higher, Tier Two criteria.
Tier Two payments would be awarded to producers that are members of a higher welfare farm assurance scheme, such as RSPCA Assured.
The report explains that this would deliver higher standards of welfare covering the whole life of the animal and would be measured through welfare outcome assessments.
'Financial leg-up'
RSPCA Head of Public Affairs David Bowles said the scheme would give farmers the "financial leg-up" they need towards higher welfare production.
“Our proposals provide the practical details which Governments are seeking to make their vision work,” Mr Bowles said.
“We have set out a highly workable two-tier proposal for farmers to be paid to invest in higher animal welfare standards while ensuring they are not undercut in any new trade deals.
“These proposals are based on the reality of available budgets and offer pragmatic, viable solutions to enforcement and comply with World Trade rules.”
Among the recommendations in the report, the charity suggests how improving the welfare of farm animals in the UK can be tackled at relatively small cost.
For example, it says £20 million a year could allow farmers to cover the costs of providing straw bedding to their pigs instead of them having fully slatted floors. This would help to reduce tail biting and lesions as well as provide enrichment for the animals.
Payments could include funding for training, infrastructure capital costs and enrichment to improve animal welfare, and financial support for farmers who are producing higher welfare products at a financial loss to competitors.
Last month, the Government committed to higher animal welfare measures after the UK leaves the EU, and proposed pilot schemes for farmers to deliver outcomes.
