Salmon farming - welfare at the time of killing: guidance

Introduction

This guidance applies in relation to Scotland only and is issued by the Scottish Ministers under section 38 of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. It relates to the welfare of farmed fish at the time of slaughter or killing and is intended to help all those who are responsible for farmed fish to ensure that legislative requirements are met to avoid pain and distress or suffering during their killing and related operations.

Finfish species are sentient animals with cognitive functioning and the ability to experience pain.

Farmed fish are included in the requirement at Article 3.1 of assimilated Council Regulation (EC) 1099/2009 which applies across the UK that ‘animals shall be spared any avoidable pain, distress or suffering during their killing and related operations’. Farmed fish are also protected under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, which makes it an offence to cause or permit them unnecessary suffering, and for persons responsible for them to fail to take reasonable steps to ensure their welfare needs are met to the extent required by good practice.

This guidance indicates expected good practice in relation to slaughter and killing operations. This guidance will be reviewed, as necessary, to take into account advancements in management practices, welfare science and technology. Higher additional standards may be set out in industry codes of practice or assurance schemes.

In this guidance, “slaughter” refers to killing for human consumption, “killing” includes slaughter and euthanasia or culling for other purposes. “Stunning” means any intentionally induced process which causes loss of consciousness and sensibility without pain, including any process resulting in instantaneous death.

This guidance covers all slaughter and killing operations related to salmon farming, including preparation for slaughter, transport, and slaughter of salmon for human consumption, as well as euthanasia or culling of salmon and other species of fish, relevant to salmon farming, for other purposes.

This guidance takes account of recommendations in the UK Animal Welfare Committee Update to their 2014 Opinion on the welfare of farmed fish at the time of killing which can be found at the link below –

Update to the 2014 AWC Opinion on the Welfare of Farmed Fish at the Time of Killing

Activities carried out in accordance with this guidance may be regarded as good practice. This guidance may also be considered relevant by the courts in any prosecution of offences under sections 19 (unnecessary suffering) and 24 (ensuring welfare of animals) of the 2006 Act. The relevance of the guidance to any prosecution will depend on the facts and circumstances and, in some cases, the guidance may not have any bearing on the prosecution.

Deviation from any relevant aspect of this guidance may be permitted in exceptional circumstances if deemed essential, and documented as such, by a veterinary surgeon who is responsible for the care of fish involved.