Marc Cooper
RSPCA head of farm animals
Dr Marc Cooper is head of farm animals at the RSPCA, where he has worked for more than two decades, shaping the organisation’s approach to farmed animal welfare.
As the RSPCA’s primary policy adviser on technical farm animal-related issues, Marc leads the development and delivery of the charity’s work in this area, working closely with the industry, academia, retailers, other like-minded NGOs and governments to drive meaningful improvements to animal welfare.
He oversees the creation and evolution of the RSPCA’s internationally recognised farm animal welfare standards, which underpin the RSPCA Assured scheme and influence farming practices both in the UK and globally.
Marc’s career combines scientific expertise with hands-on experience, spanning roles from livestock farming to research, auditing and academia.
He has contributed to numerous national and international initiatives, including advisory groups for Defra, the Welsh Government and the EU, and has chaired the farm animals working group at Eurogroup for Animals.
Through this work, Marc continues to play a key role in advancing practical, evidence-based approaches to higher welfare farming.
