“I’m asking the RSPCA to shut down and review the RSPCA Assured scheme. It’s clearly not implementing a standard of welfare which is acceptable in the UK in the 21st century.”
Naturalist and television presenter Chris Packham has threatened to resign as President of the The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) due to concerns over salmon welfare at Scottish fish farms.
The RSPCA is a charity organization that promotes animal welfare in England and Wales. It was founded in 1824 and is one of the oldest and most prominent animal welfare organizations in the world. The body’s certification program RSPCA Assured sets standards for the welfare of farm animals. Farms, abattoirs, and food processing plants that meet these standards can use the RSPCA Assured label, indicating that the animals have been treated humanely.
The move by Packham comes after covert footage revealed salmon with severe injuries at a farm run by the world’s largest salmon farmer, Mowi.
The footage, filmed by former fish-farm worker turned activist Jamie Moyes, showed salmon with exposed flesh and missing body parts at the Soay fish farm in West Loch Tarbet, operated by Mowi Scotland.
The farm had previously been certified by RSPCA Assured, a scheme aimed at ensuring animal welfare standards.
Abhorrent
Packham described the footage as “abhorrent” and criticized RSPCA Assured for failing to uphold welfare standards. He called for a review of the scheme and indicated he might step down if changes are not made.
“Imagine we were looking at pictures of sheep or cows grazing in a field with these horrific wounds or huge lumps missing from their bodies. There would be a national outcry. But because they’re fish, it’s as if that somehow makes it all right. Well it isn’t all right,” he said.
“What’s worse is that RSPCA Assured have justified what we see in this footage and given the farm a clean bill of health. Well, I’m the President of the RSPCA and I can’t tell you that it’s acceptable. I can’t justify it. It absolutely horrific.
“I’m asking the RSPCA to shut down and review the RSPCA Assured scheme. It’s clearly not implementing a standard of welfare which is acceptable in the UK in the 21st century. Just look at the fish in this footage – they’re swimming around with massive chunks out of them.’
He said he was using his role as RSPCA President to try and make changes – but would consider standing down unless things improved. He said: ‘I’m working with the RSPCA and I’m asking them to conduct these reviews and shut the scheme down.
Seal attacks?
It is unclear if the damage seen in the footage was caused by seals attacking the fish through protective netting which is supposed to keep them safe – or some other cause such as sea lice infestation which can lead to infection, lesions and rotting flesh.
The RSPCA Assured program defended its certification, stating that the farm was found to have appropriate procedures in place to prevent and treat injuries from sea lice and seal attacks.
A spokesperson said: “Following a visit by a highly trained animal welfare assessor, we can confirm that the farm was found to have all the correct procedures in place and were doing everything they could to prevent sea lice and seal attacks, including providing correct treatment for bacterial infection and having pro seal nets installed, which are specially designed to prevent seals biting through them.
“Fish – whether farmed or wild – can suffer from sea lice and disease in the same way that domestic pets can suffer from parasites, such as mites and fleas, and need regular treatment. They can also fall victim to predation as part of the natural life cycle – particularly from seals as they are incredibly determined and very intelligent animals. ‘We will continue to work with the farm to help mitigate any future challenges, but we are satisfied that they acted responsibly, in accordance with both legislation and the RSPCA welfare standards.”
‘Our priority is animal welfare’
Mowi also emphasized its commitment to animal welfare, noting that any injured fish are removed and euthanized humanely.
A spokesperson for the company said: “As farmers, our priority is animal welfare and we employ all resources to achieve this which includes veterinary oversight, daily checks, highest standard of husbandry and care along with underwater video to monitor the stock, and intervention if needed.
“The fish population under our care at Soay is in great condition and we are obviously concerned that around half a dozen of the fish show signs of predator damage. We take action as soon as possible to remove individual fish doing poorly and humanely euthanise.”
