The welfare state

It was with some 30 years of experience of terrestrial livestock farming behind me that I first came, 14 years ago, to look at how salmon farming was operating in Scotland.

I was struck with the enormity of the learning curve I had to negotiate – this wasn’t like looking at the stock over the farm gate – and how much the then relatively small scale salmon farming industry had to do.

I had watched with concern how the broiler industry had developed in this country, with all the attendant problems that rapid over-intensification, in the headlong rush to produce as much as possible as cheaply as possible, was bringing. It became very clear to me in the early days of working with the salmon farming industry that much needed to be done to ensure that they did not charge down the same route.

So when, after a number years of research and consultation with the industry, the RSPCA launched the first ever welfare standards for farmed Atlantic salmon, I confess I was somewhat sceptical about what the uptake would be, as the gap between what was day-to-day practice and what was required to meet the standards was, in most cases, very wide indeed.

However, perhaps because aquaculture was such a young industry in Scotland – and therefore without countless generations of bad habits to undo – the willingness and enthusiasm with which it worked with us and adopted the standards was a revelation. I was also particularly struck by how the fish, probably more than any other farmed animal, reacted positively to inputs in health and welfare terms. I think many in the industry realised that, whether fish suffer or not, this is somewhat beside the point when it comes to aquaculture. Good welfare standards are first and foremost about the fish of course, but they demonstrably result in improved quality, less mortality and wastage – and ultimately an improved bottom line. They also bring the benefit of being able to offer a product for sale that is more acceptable to consumers. And, no less importantly, the implementation of good welfare standards demands good environmental management – another area of sensitivity for aquaculture operators.

But what now? Welfare standards are evolving to include more and more by way of welfare outcomes and the industry should welcome this. Welfare outcomes demand that stockmen really look at the fish at every stage not just at end of production – observe how they present physically and from a behaviour standpoint. This should be welcome on every level. It will help to identify and manage any developing problems much earlier and before they have a major negative impact and it will help stockmen go back to being stockmen in the true sense of the word – not just box tickers.

Aside from the benefits to the stock, I believe this will help develop a more skilled and highly motivated workforce. I have now left Freedom Food and have set up Partners in Welfare. But, I still believe that the RSPCA welfare standards present the best possible framework for the future and the fact that the Scottish salmon farming industry – with now around 80% operating to RSPCA welfare standards – is admired worldwide, proves this.

But, whilst supporting the RSPCA’s welfare standards, of course they do not always translate either across farmed fish species or from country to country – and even, in some cases, site to site. And, as technology develops and continues to ‘intervene’, adjustments must be made to ensure there is not a negative impact on welfare.

But there are lessons to be taken from the standards, whatever the species and wherever the site. Sometimes it’s really quite small adjustments without capital investment that can make an enormous difference to wastage and mortality without in any way losing speed of production. Scottish production is ahead of the game in this regard, with the possible exception of some ’hot spots’ of good practice such as Tasmania. The recent Scottish Marine Aquaculture Awards amply demonstrated what a significant and growing contribution Scottish aquaculture makes to the country’s economy – and how within a relatively short time frame the industry has made such huge strides to become what I believe is the envy of the world. Europe and the rest of the world should heed these lessons now and keep ahead of the game.