Tesco suspends fish farm after claims lice-infested salmon left in pen

Animal Equality UK has alleged its covert filming showed sea lice-infested salmon left in a fish farm pen which should have been empty

Tesco has suspended its use of a fish farm in the north-west Highlands following allegations salmon infested with sea lice were left in a pen that was meant to be completely empty.

Animal Equality UK said it carried out covert filming at a Bakkafrost Scotland farm on Loch Torridon, and claims welfare regulations were breached.

Tesco said the newly-released footage was "extremely concerning" and had suspended the farm while it investigated with its supplier.

Bakkafrost Scotland said a "very small number of fish" were identified five months ago at a site which had been declared fallow. It added that the salmon had been removed.

Bakkafrost operates more than 45 sites across the west coast of Scotland and employs more than 400 people.

Sea lice are naturally-occurring parasites that feed off the mucus, skin and blood of fish.

They can cause skin damage, bleeding and harm the quality of farmed salmon.

Animal Equality UK, which describes itself as an animal protection organisation, has alleged welfare and legal breaches.

It said it made a formal complaint against the farm in August.

Executive director Abigail Penny said: "Abandoning fish who are trapped in cages on a farm that should have been empty is both unlawful and cruel."

Bakkafrost Scotland said the welfare of fish was "central" to the business.

A spokesperson said: "Five months ago, a very small number of fish were identified at our site on Loch Torridon, which had been declared fallow.

"We acted immediately to remove the fish, working with the relevant authorities.

"Following this, we undertook a comprehensive review of our procedures and implemented enhanced controls to ensure this does not happen again."

The spokesperson added: "At Bakkafrost Scotland, fish health and welfare are central to everything we do, and we remain committed to the highest standards of care and continuous improvement across operations."

Bakkafrost Scotland said it had carried out a comprehensive review of its procedures

Tesco said it took animal welfare "extremely seriously", and it expected all its suppliers to adhere to its high welfare standards.

A spokesperson said: "This footage is extremely concerning, and we have immediately suspended the farm whilst we investigate with our supplier.

"Any failure to meet our high welfare standards is unacceptable and we take swift action where necessary."

They added: "We continue to work with our suppliers to drive improvements in animal welfare through independently auditing all our own-brand suppliers against our Tesco Welfare Assured standards."

All farms, including fish farms, which Tesco uses must comply with recognised farm assurance scheme, such as Red Tractor and RSPCA, in addition to meeting the supermarket chain's own welfare-approved requirements.

RSPCA Assured said it was investigating the allegations.

A spokesperson said: "The welfare of farmed animals is our number one priority and we take any concerns of poor welfare or standards breaches extremely seriously.

"We are urgently investigating these allegations and are unable to comment further whilst our inquiries are taking place.

"We urge anyone concerned about the welfare of a farmed animal to contact us immediately so we can take appropriate action as quickly as possible."