CHARITIES DEMAND LEGISLATION ON SALMON SLAUGHTER

Nine animal protection groups have written to the Scottish Government today to warn that its newly-released guidance on the slaughter of farmed salmon, though a welcome step, falls short of the legal protections urgently needed to prevent suffering on Scotland’s fish farms.

An estimated 55 million salmon are farmed in Scotland each year. While farmed land animals are covered by clear, enforceable legislation that governs their treatment at the time of killing, no such species-specific legal framework exists for farmed fish – despite scientific consensus that fish feel pain and fear.

The long-awaited guidance, published today, outlines how farmed salmon should be treated at slaughter, but with no legal obligation to follow it, and no penalties for breaching it, campaigners say millions of fish remain at risk of suffering at the time of slaughter.

Georgie Hancock, Public Affairs Lead at The Humane League UK, said: “This guidance is a welcome and long-overdue step in the right direction, but it falls short of what’s needed. Every day, sentient fish are being killed without species-specific legislation that makes it a legal requirement to do this as humanely as possible. It shouldn’t just be discouraged to not follow agreed higher welfare procedures – it should be illegal.”

The case for improved legislation is supported by senior salmon industry figures. In a Scottish parliamentary reception in January Ronnie Soutar, Head of Veterinary Services at Scottish Sea Farms said “There is clear recognition within the sector that fish are sentient […] legislation in this area would be welcomed.”

Additionally, the Scottish government’s animal welfare commission has recommended the government adopt “specific legislative provision” for “the welfare of farmed fin fish at the time of killing, reinforcing existing good practice.” This follows the Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) recommending on numerous occasions the need for species-specific slaughter legislation for farmed fish, including mandatory stunning requirements, mandatory CCTV in fish slaughterhouses, and appropriate training for professionals involved in the slaughter process.

Undercover investigations have exposed the mistreatment of farmed salmon at slaughter, including a 2021 investigation by Animal Equality where salmon had their gills cut while conscious, a 2023 investigation where farmed fish entered stun-kill machinery backwards and smaller fish showed signs of consciousness after exiting the machine, a 2024 investigation and further 2025 exposé revealing fish suffocating on multiple Scottish salmon farms.

Guidance will go some way to ensure producers are aware of their obligations and help prevent these issues occurring, but without it being a legal requirement, there will still likely be no repercussions for those found to be flouting the rules.

Lorraine Platt of the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation said: “The release of official guidance on the slaughter of farmed fish is a first step. However, it must be followed without delay by comprehensive, species-specific legislation. Farmed fish must be afforded the same legal protections as other farm animals—protections that are unambiguous, enforceable, and supported by effective penalties for breaches. In the absence of such legal measures, farmed fish remain acutely vulnerable at the point of slaughter, a stage at which they are most at risk of suffering”.

Mark Glover of the Labour Animal Welfare Society said: “This long-overdue guidance from the Scottish Government is to be welcomed: farmed fish, like all sentient animals, deserve compassion and care. However, guidelines alone are not enough. Without binding legislation, millions of farmed salmon remain exposed to potential suffering at slaughter. The Scottish Government should enshrine these protections in law, ensuring that fish welfare is a legal obligation.”

Elena Edwards of Animal Concern said: “While guidance on fish slaughter is great to have, it is not worth the paper it’s written on unless it is fully adhered to. Legislation that brings accountability is essential to ensuring all fish sent to slaughter are afforded protection. Routine unannounced inspections, enforced penalties, and adequate training of employees tasked with slaughtering these sentient beings will help reduce pain caused to these fish. The Scottish Government has the power to do this. This would benefit not just the fish, but those raising them for market. Surely no one wants a reputation for turning a blind eye to suffering?”

Abigail Penny of Animal Equality UK said: “Our investigations have exposed fish suffocating to death, being bludgeoned, cut while conscious, and entering slaughter machinery backwards. Without meaningful Government scrutiny and legal force, extreme animal suffering like this could continue to take place behind closed doors. We expect to see strong, binding legislation introduced to ensure that fish have proper legal protections in their final moments of life. The Scottish Government must now finish the job it started and swiftly enact species-specific legislation.”

The signatories of the letter include:

Animal Concern

Animal Equality

Compassion in World Farming UK

Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation

The Humane League UK

Labour Animal Welfare Society

OneKind

RSPCA

Scottish SPCA

The letter calls on Mairi Gougeon MSP to use the publication of this first-of-its-kind official guidance for farmed salmon as an opportunity to build on the strong foundation laid by the new guidance and transform it into legislation.