Welfare of farmed fish

Extract

Following the publication in September 1996 of the Farm Animal Welfare Council's (FAWC) report on the welfare of farmed fish, the UK Government consulted interested parties and has now produced a response taking account of these views. This comprises a 4-page overview document with a 17-page Annex which: (i) outlines the points which the Government proposes for inclusion in a welfare code for farmed fish production; and (ii) lists FAWC's recommendations. Two general points are made regarding the way forward. First, since the recently adopted EU Directive on the protection of farm animals (Council Directive 98/58/EC) does not include any requirements which deal in detail with the welfare of farmed fish, the UK will continue to play an active part in the Council of Europe's negotiations to develop recommendations. Second, the Government proposes that many of FAWC's recommendations should be met by developing voluntary codes of practice with the farmed salmon and trout industries. FAWC made a number of recommendations on the need for research and the Government has prioritized these as follows. First to review commercial slaughter methods for trout and ensure that humane methods are available (Government-funded work is already underway on this). Second, if funds become available, to investigate improved methods for stunning and killing farmed salmon and setting stocking densities. Further research into environmental stimulation and interrelationships between food distribution, fish size and fish welfare is then to be pursued. Other research topics, such as the development of systems which minimize injuries to snout and fins, are viewed as matters for the industry to pursue.