RSPCA Assured suspends three farms

RSPCA Assured has suspended three Scottish salmon farms from its animal welfare scheme, following allegations of animal cruelty.

Activists from campaigning group Animal Equality presented RSPCA Assured with drone footage showing that fish had been removed from the water for longer than the maximum 15 seconds allowed, causing them distress and risking suffocation.

The three farms are all on Scotland’s west coast: Loch Alsh, operated by Mowi; Fiunary, Sound of Mull, operated by Scottish Sea Farms; and Bakkafrost’s Ardcastle farm on Loch Fyne.

Animal Equality said: “In over a dozen incidents across the four-month period, salmon appearing to show signs of consciousness are left out of water for over one minute; one fish appears to suffocate for over three minutes. These instances of asphyxiation far surpass the RSPCA’s 15 second maximum allowance.”

The drone films also captured other instances of apparent abuse such as live fish thrashing in cages and salmon kicked along the deck of a boat. The incidents appear to involve unwell fish that have been removed from the pen in order to be humanely despatched.

Abigail Penny, Executive Director of Animal Equality UK, said: “Here we have proof of over a dozen fish desperately struggling in their final moments of life – it begs the question: what else happens when no-one is watching? No industry of this scale, causing mass suffering to millions of animals each year, should ever be left to its own devices and, evidently, the Scottish farmed salmon industry needs far greater scrutiny.”

Abigail Penny, Executive Director, Animal Equality

‘Animal welfare is our absolute priority’

An RSPCA Assured spokesperson said: “We have launched an immediate investigation into these allegations and suspended membership of the three farms from the RSPCA Assured scheme, pending further investigation. This means they cannot currently market or sell any products under the RSPCA Assured label.

“As our enquiries are ongoing, we are unable to comment further at this time.

“Animal welfare is our absolute priority and we always take any complaints of poor welfare extremely seriously. We would urge anyone with any concerns about the welfare of animals on an RSPCA Assured certified farm to contact us straight away, without delay, so that we can immediately investigate and address any welfare issues as a priority.”

Scottish Sea Farms’ Head of Fish Health and Welfare, Dr Ralph Bickerdike, said:
“Last month, we identified unacceptable lapses in best husbandry practice at one of our farms, following which we took immediate remedial action.

“This included issuing further guidance on how best to humanely cull poorly fish without delay; guidance that we issued cross-company in August to ensure all farms conform to best practice, at all times.

“To make doubly sure that this strict protocol is understood and upheld, our fish health team is also delivering and supervising additional refresher training in each of our farming regions.”

Scottish Sea Farms confirmed that its other farms continue to be members of the RSPCA Assured scheme.