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Written question asked by Baroness Gale (Labour) on Monday, 7 July 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 July 2025. It was answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour) on Monday, 21 July 2025 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Fish: Disease Control

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to update legislation to include species-specific requirements for the slaughter of farmed fish; and what assessment they have made of the potential benefits of such measures for improving animal welfare standards and enhancing the competitiveness of the English aquaculture sector.

Answer

The Animal Welfare Committee’s updated Opinion on the welfare of farmed fish at the time of killing was finalised in 2023. Since then a GB-wide joint government-industry working group on farmed trout has been examining the issues raised in the report to explore potential options for more detailed welfare at killing requirements. This co-design work has made good progress and we are now exploring all the potential next steps. The Scottish Government is also working closely with the salmon industry on more detailed welfare at killing requirements.

The Fisheries and Seafood Scheme also recently opened for applications. The Scheme offers financial support to catching, processing and aquaculture businesses, including for improvements to animal health and welfare such as equipment to protect farms from wild predators or equipment to kill fish in a more humane way.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL9164
Session
2024-26
Attachment
AWC Opinion on welfare
Subjects
Animal welfare Fisheries Disease control Fish Standards
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk