‘Both small and large salmon farms across Scotland are meeting the RSPCA standards and millions of salmon have better lives as a result,’ says certification body.
The RSPCA has issued a clarification in relation to the role of its RSPCA Assured scheme in the salmon farming industry.
The statement comes following the news that independent Scottish salmon farmer Loch Duart is withdrawing from the scheme.
“RSPCA Assured is the only assurance scheme solely focused on welfare, and we have played a pivotal role in directly driving up standards of farmed animal welfare,” an RSPCA spokesperson told SalmonBusiness.
The organization highlighted that salmon farms carrying the RSPCA Assured label are inspected according to more than 700 higher welfare standards, covering every stage of a salmon’s life, from hatchery to harvest.
The RSPCA also clarified its welfare standards regarding marine stocking density, permitting a maximum of 15kg of fish per cubic meter of water (98.5% water to 1.5% fish), a guideline that aligns with recommendations from the UK government’s advisory body on farm animal welfare.
Addressing the welfare of cleanerfish, which are used to control parasites like sea lice, the RSPCA noted that it was the first assurance scheme to introduce welfare standards for cleanerfish in 2018.
This year, the organization introduced more than 80 new standards aimed at improving cleanerfish welfare and is exploring alternative technologies to further safeguard these animals.
On the issue of antibiotic use, the RSPCA reiterated its commitment to responsible practices. The standards permit the use of antibiotics solely for treating sick or injured animals, not for routine use. The organization also expressed support for non-medicinal treatments, such as freshwater bathing, to control sea lice and gill disease.
The RSPCA spokesperson emphasized that its welfare standards are designed to be applied across both small and large farms, ensuring that the welfare of each individual animal is prioritized.
“What’s most important is how the farm is being managed and the standards they are meeting,” the statement read, adding that both small and large salmon farms across Scotland are meeting RSPCA standards, leading to improved lives for millions of salmon.
