Despite stepping away from the RSPCA Assured program, Loch Duart has emphasized its continued dedication to transparency and high welfare standards.
Loch Duart, a Scottish salmon farming company known for its small-scale, low-impact approach, has announced its withdrawal from the RSPCA Assured accreditation program.
The company, which was the first fish farm to receive the RSPCA Assured certification in 2004, stated that the scheme no longer aligns with its core values.
A spokesperson for Loch Duart told SalmonBusiness, “We have always been dedicated to upholding the Loch Duart Standard, believing that our small-scale, low-impact approach, which prioritizes welfare over profits, surpasses leading accreditation standards. However, in our assessment, the RSPCA Assured Scheme no longer holds the same significance that it once did for Loch Duart. Its application towards mass-produced salmon no longer aligns with Loch Duart’s commitment to quality over quantity.”
The company remains committed to multiple accreditation schemes, including Global GAP and the Code of Good Practice. It also maintains a unique practice of allowing local fisheries trusts, such as the West Sutherland Fisheries Trust (WSFT), unprecedented access to its sites to independently oversee and audit fish health checks and data.
Loch Duart’s approach to salmon farming includes several industry-leading practices, such as:
- An antibiotic-free policy with a focus on freshwater treatments for fish health.
- An advanced cleaner fish program and state-of-the-art aeration systems to improve water quality.
- A low stocking density of 98.5% water to 1.5% fish, which reduces the risk of health and welfare issues.
- The use of Blue Impact feed, which is 56.5% more carbon-friendly than standard farmed salmon diets.
- A Foraged Fish Dependency Ratio (FFDR) of 0.33, indicating the use of only a third of the usual levels of wild-caught fish in their feed.
“We would invite anyone to meet with us and learn firsthand about our natural, small-scale, low-impact farming methods,” the spokesperson added.
Loch Duart continues to position itself as a leader in sustainable salmon farming, emphasizing its commitment to environmental stewardship and the welfare of its fish.
