New slaughter guidelines issued for Scottish salmon sector

The Scottish Government has issued new guidance about slaughter and other killing of farmed salmon which it says is intended to ensure that legislative requirements are met to avoid pain and distress to the fish.

Farmed fish are included in UK regulations stating that “animals shall be spared any avoidable pain, distress or suffering during their killing and related operations”. They are also protected under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, which makes it an offence to cause or permit farmed fish unnecessary suffering.

It is also an offence for persons responsible for fish to fail to take reasonable steps to ensure their welfare needs are met to the extent required by good practice. The new guidance indicates expected good practice in relation to slaughter (killing for human consumption) and killing (slaughter and euthanasia or culling for other purposes) operations.

Suitably trained 

All personnel involved in slaughter and/or killing must be suitably trained and competent, and operations must be overseen by someone with overall control for fish welfare.

Personnel involved in slaughter, euthanasia or culling operations should be able to recognise farmed fish density and stress responses, and those involved in stunning operations should be able to recognise the signs and check for ineffective electrical or percussive stunning or recovery from stunning.

Other guidance includes evaluating the impact of successive crowding events, maximum stocking density during transport, and the requirement for a priest (cosh) or secondary stunner to be available at all times during slaughter.

The Scottish Government says that deviation from any relevant aspect of its guidance may be permitted in exceptional circumstances if deemed essential, and documented as such, by a vet who is responsible for the care of fish involved.

Legal protections

In a joint letter to the Scottish Government, nine animal protection groups said that although the guidance was a welcome step, it “falls short of the legal protections urgently needed to prevent suffering on Scotland’s fish farms”.

Although the guidance is issued under Section 38 of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, the groups claim that there is no legal obligation to follow the guidance, and no penalties for breaching it.

Georgie Hancock, public affairs lead at one of the groups, The Humane League UK, said: “It shouldn’t just be discouraged to not follow agreed higher welfare procedures - it should be illegal.”

World's highest standards

Trade body Salmon Scotland has previously pointed out that Scottish salmon farming companies have a legal duty to ensure the welfare of farm-raised fish under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act.

Dr Iain Berrill, head of technical at Salmon Scotland, said: “Scottish salmon farmers already meet the highest animal health and welfare standards anywhere on the globe.

“All farm-raised Scottish salmon are stunned and slaughtered in seconds, in harvest stations that are independently certified and covered by CCTV to ensure that the highest humane slaughter standards are met or exceeded.

“We’ve worked closely with the Scottish government to develop this guidance and would be happy to work with Scottish ministers to ensure any future legislation in this area is appropriate to our sector.”