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Written question asked by Fleur Anderson (Labour) on Monday, 15 January 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 January 2024. It was answered by Mark Spencer (Conservative) on Monday, 22 January 2024 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Salmon: Fish Farming

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps his Department has taken to (a) improve the welfare of farmed salmon and (b) reduce the environmental impact of salmon farms.

Answer

a) Defra and the devolved governments commissioned the Animal Welfare Committee to update its 2014 opinion on the welfare of farmed fish at the time of killing and this was published in September 2023. We are studying their recommendations carefully to determine next steps.

b) We take all matters relating to the marine environment seriously and are seeking to ensure that the ocean is managed sustainably. Through our membership of North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO), the UK has committed to minimising the impact of salmon farming on wild salmon populations. Within the UK, all marine salmon farming currently takes place in Scotland and Northern Ireland. As aquaculture and marine management are devolved competencies, managing the environmental impact of current salmon farming activity is the responsibility of their devolved administrations.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
9673
Session
2023-24
Related items
Fish Farming: Animal Welfare
Friday, 1 March 2024
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Animal welfare Environment protection Salmon Fish farming
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk