RSPCA Freedom Food Labelled Salmon

Freedom Food is the RSPCA’s farm assurance and food labelling scheme dedicated to improving welfare standards for as many farm animals as possible, including salmon. The scheme aims to promote caring and responsible farming.

The Freedom Food certification mark gives you the assurance that the scheme is monitored by the RSPCA. All farm animals assessed under the Freedom Food scheme must be reared according to strict RSPCA welfare standards.

Scientific evidence shows that it is highly likely that fish feel pain and that they have a similar stress response system to mammals. The RSPCA welfare standards for salmon address these key welfare issues and in order to use the Freedom Food logo on their products, salmon producers must be audited against standards which include:

  1. The fish are given NO routine antibiotics. NO growth promoters. And are NOT Genetically Modified.
  2. Freedom Food requires that predators be controlled using humane preventative methods.
  3. The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) lists Freedom Food labelled salmon as one of their “fish to eat” and “one of the best choices to make”. Greenpeace, similarly have said on Freedom Food: “…The better environment which they produce for the fish not only produces healthier fish, but also reduces the impact on the marine environment…”
  4. RSPCA welfare standards allow only immediate percussion stunning followed by bleeding as a method of slaughter. Carbon dioxide gas killing is prohibited.
  5. All nets must be well managed – this reduces the risk of damage during storms and helps to prevent escapes, thereby reducing the likelihood of interaction between wild fish and farmed salmon.
  6. Salmon are not given growth promoters.
  7. Farmers must demonstrate respect for the natural environment.
  8. Fish are fed a healthy high-quality diet. Feed must be dispensed properly so that fish do not have to compete for food and are not overfed.
  9. Farm sites must be fallowed or “rested”, much like a farmer’s fields, to allow natural recovery and regeneration of the environment.
  10. All Freedom Food salmon are UK reared.
  11. Wherever possible, feed must come from sustainable sources.
  12. All staff working with the fish must be trained and competent in aspects of fish husbandry and welfare relevant to their duties.
  13. RSPCA welfare standards require a maximum stocking density of 15kg/m3. This provides an equivalent of 98,5% water to 1% volume of an Olympic swimming pool.
  14. Throughout the salmon’s life, it must not leave the water for more than 15 seconds at any one time, unless anaesthetised.
  15. Currently all Freedom Food approved salmon are reared in pure and natural Scottish tidal waters.