The Scottish Salmon Company has earned four-star BAP certification. Photo: SSC.

Four-star rating is a European first for Scottish Salmon Company

The Scottish Salmon Company (SSC) has become the first salmon producer in Europe to be recognised with a four-star Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification.

Published Last updated

The company, owned by Faroese salmon farmer Bakkafrost, already held two stars for its processing sites at Marybank, Stornoway and Cairndow, Loch Fyne and its marine sites throughout the west coast of Scotland and the Hebrides.

Last year, SSC was awarded a third star for sourcing its feed from BAP certified suppliers. SSC has been awarded the fourth and final star for its freshwater operations. Four stars is the highest designation in the BAP third-party certification programme.

Su Cox: Certification is testament to SSC's care and commitment.

Scottish provenance

In a press release, SSC director Su Cox said: “Scottish provenance is sought after the world over – consumers want to know where their food has come from and that it is produced sustainably. To be awarded a four-star BAP certification is testament to the care and commitment that goes in to responsibly farming our Scottish salmon at every stage of the supply chain.

“The BAP seal of approval means our customers can buy our Scottish salmon with the confidence and reassurance that it is of the highest quality and integrity.”

‘Proven determination’

Mike Berthet, BAP’S market development manager for Europe, said: “The Scottish Salmon Company has proven its determination to have a fully BAP-certified operation by reaching four-star status.

“This certification recognises that SSC is contributing to a safe and nutritious product that is enjoyed all around the world, while enhancing the reputation of aquaculture as a responsible and sustainable industry.”

BAP is administered by the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) and is compliant with the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), Global Social Compliance Programme (GSCP) and Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI).  

SSC said all of its salmon is fully traceable from farm to shelf with the BAP certification providing further recognition of the producer’s robust supply chain integrity.