RSPCA welfare standards for Farmed Atlantic salmon

The RSPCA welfare standards for Farmed Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) are used to provide the only RSPCA-approved scheme for the rearing, handling, transport and slaughter/killing of farmed Atlantic salmon. The standards cover the two distinct phases of farming (freshwater and marine farming). They take account of legislation, official codes of practice, scientific research, veterinary advice, recommendations of the Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FAWC) and the practical experience of the aquaculture industry. However, difficulties arise in specifying details in relation to several issues (for example, acceptable maximum stocking densities) due to the lack of scientific research examining fish welfare under different commercial systems. It is important to recognise that the following requirements are made pending the relevant scientific research. The farmer is expected to maintain higher welfare standards at all times and demonstrate commitment to continual improvement as advances in knowledge and technology allow. Scientific evidence from behavioural, physiological and anatomical studies shows that it is highly likely that fish feel pain. Fish also have a similar stress response system to mammals. It is essential that staff managing farmed fish are aware of the importance of welfare as an integral part of production. The standards are based upon the "Five Freedoms" as defined by FAWC (hence the name "Freedom Food"), and provide a comprehensive framework for the assessment of animal welfare on farm, in transit and at the place of slaughter/killing, as well as representing an important element of farm assurance requirements. The Five Freedoms are relevant to fish welfare and should be considered in relation to husbandry practice. The Five Freedoms are: Freedom from hunger and thirst; Freedom from discomfort; Freedom from pain, injury and disease; Freedom to express normal behaviour; and Freedom from fear and distress.

Table of Contents: Introduction; Management; Health; Husbandry practices; Equipment; Feeding; Environmental quality; Environmental impact; Freshwater (pre-smoltification/juvenile fish); Seawater; Transport; Slaughter/killing; Appendix 1: RSPCA Veterinary Health and Welfare Plan guidance notes; Appendix 2: Crowd intensity scale; Index.

80 pages. PDF: 1,614KB. Developed by RSPCA Farmed Salmon Standards Working Groups. The standards are continually reviewed and revised by the department. Please NOTE: No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. To read the latest version of this publication, please click here. Please see the latest amendments to the RSPCA welfare standards for Atlantic salmon (PDF: 727KB). Also see the key changes to the RSPCA welfare standards for farmed Atlantic salmon (PDF: 48KB). To see information on the other welfare standards reports on chicken; turkeys; domestic/common ducks; laying hens; pullets (laying hens); pigs; dairy cattle; beef cattle; sheep; and hatcheries, please click here.

ISBN: 1898331979

Price: Online version: Free of charge