The RSPCA has cleared Mowi Scotland of a welfare abuse allegation made by anti-salmon farming campaigner Don Staniford.

More than 98.8% of fish harvested from a Mowi farm that formed part of a welfare complaint by anti-salmon farming activist Don Staniford were of “superior” grade, the company said today.

Salmon farmer Scottish Sea Farms (SSF) has had RSPCA Assured certification of its Loch Spelve farm on Mull reinstated just days after it was suspended following a welfare complaint from anti-salmon farming activist Don Staniford.

Scottish Sea Farms has denied claims by anti-salmon farming activist Don Staniford that injuries seen on fish filmed at its Loch Spelve farm earlier this month were the result of disease or sea lice infestations. The wounds were instead caused by seals, said SSF.

Mowi Scotland has taken a first step towards the use of Benchmark’s lice medicine Ectosan in the country’s salmon farming industry.