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Investigation: Scottish Salmon

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Exposed: Scottish Salmon Company Slaughterhouse

Animal Equality’s undercover footage has revealed animals suffering from prolonged pain in a Scottish Salmon Company slaughterhouse. The investigation, showing fish killing processes, is the first of its kind to be released in the UK.

The Scottish Salmon Company supplies major UK supermarkets Waitrose and Co-op, alongside premium retailers, hotels and restaurants. The corporation also has a global reach, exporting its products to over 20 countries across the world.

Warning: the following images are graphic.

This footage is alarming. A significant number of salmon are clearly conscious when their gills are cut, which could result in extreme pain for as long as seven minutes.  Mark Borthwick, MA MSc, Head of Research, Aquatic Life Institute

Forgotten Fish

Scientists recognise that fish, just like other farmed animals, experience pleasure and pain. Despite this, fish are given very few legal protections.

In the UK, up to 77 million fish are raised and killed every single year – that's over two per second.

Animal Equality is urging UK governments to put in place meaningful, specific protections for aquatic animals at the time of slaughter. This is the very least these animals deserve and yet currently they are not afforded even this.

We're not alone. Our open letter, addressed to ministers across the UK, has been signed by 70 world-leading animal welfare experts, academics and animal protection organisations.

Read our open letter

Calling For Stronger Monitoring And Inspections

At present, monitoring and inspections of fish slaughterhouses are clearly inadequate, resulting in aquatic animals suffering extreme and prolonged suffering.

The Government has a duty of care to the aquatic animals raised for consumption, as well as to UK consumers, to ensure that compliance is maintained and to penalise those companies who fail to meet expected standards. The industry cannot continue to be permitted to self-regulate.

Animal Equality is working with animal welfare scientists and experts to urge the UK Government to improve monitoring by introducing mandatory CCTV in aquatic animal slaughterhouses – as is the current law for farmed land animals in England and Scotland – as well as introducing more frequent, unannounced inspections.

In December 2021, we coordinated a second open letter, signed by 25 experts, which was sent to the Animal Welfare Committee, calling for urgent action to be taken. Read our full list of demands below.

Read Our Open Letter
“The science has spoken: fish feel pain, much like we do. We must do more to protect these sensitive creatures.”
Dr Lynne Sneddon
B.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D, University of Gothenburg
“Aquatic animals are individuals with their own unique personalities and preferences, yet they are far too often forgotten.”
Jonathan Balcombe
Biologist and author of New York Times bestseller 'What a Fish Knows'

Spread the word

“Nemo's friends need your help. Join me in supporting Animal Equality's work to protect fish!”
Alexander Gould
Voice of Nemo in 'Finding Nemo'

Help Fish Today

Fish feel pain. Just like other animals, they deserve protection. And you have the power to help them.

Will you join us in fighting for these forgotten animals?

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