Thank you for contacting me about the welfare of farmed fish.
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 makes it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to any protected animal, or to fail to provide for the welfare needs of an animal, including fish. Regulations also require that farmed fish are spared avoidable pain, distress or suffering during their killing and related operations.
I am aware that Regulation 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing requires that farmed fish are spared avoidable pain, distress or suffering during their killing and related operations but does not include any further requirements.
The Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015 makes it an offence for any person engaged in the restraint, stunning or killing of an invertebrate to cause avoidable pain, distress or suffering.
As part of the Government’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare, Ministers have been considering a number of improvements that could be made to the welfare of farmed fish at the time of killing and asked the Animal Welfare Committee to update its 2014 Opinion on the welfare of farmed fish at the time of killing and I look forward to reading their report in due course.
Finally, I am aware that any allegations of welfare or health issues will be investigated by the Animal and Plant Health Agency and Cefas. Appropriate action is taken against anyone who breaks the law when non-compliances are disclosed.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to write. If you require any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.
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