CONSUMERS, supermarkets, farmers and the government all had a role to play in developing a better future for animals in Midlands farming, according to an action plan launched by the RSPCA yesterday (Wednesday).

The strategy: The Future of Farming - a ten-point action plan is designed as a framework document for an urgent review of the systems used for animal production in the UK.

The RSPCA, which is calling for a Royal Commission to be established to oversee the review, believes there is now a real opportunity to prioritise animal welfare within a new farming industry.

Outbreaks of foot and mouth disease, swine fever and the BSE crisis have focussed attention on farming methods and highlighted the need for a change.

In a survey commissioned by the RSPCA's farm animal welfare labelling scheme, Freedom Food, last month, 57% of people in the Midlands said farm animal welfare was more important to them now that before the foot and mouth crisis and 76% said they would be prepared to pay more for products reared to high welfare standards.

The Future of Farming calls for a reduction in the number and length of journeys made by animals, a review of livestock markets, clear labelling of welfare-assured products and the need for supermarkets to provide high-welfare products and ensure that producers get a fair price.

It also addresses wider issues such as the need to reform the CAP and for improved welfare to be recognised under World Trade Organisation rules.

Stephen Mulholland, manager of the RSPCA's West Central region, said: "It's absolutely clear that far-reaching changes are needed to promote the highest standards of welfare for farm animals and equally that everyone has a role to play."