Entity adds 177 new requirements to the well -being of the rainbow

The beneficial animal welfare organization RSPCA has published updated well -being standards for rainbow trout produced by companies subscribed to its RSPCA Assured Certification Program.

As of July 23, a new review of the well -being of the rainbow trout will enter into force, which will introduce 177 new standards.

Sean Black, scientific and policy director, and a specialist in well -being of the Pespca fish, said: “This is a really positive advance for the well -being of the fish. The changes include the introduction of closed television circuit (CCTV) throughout the sacrifice process; it is the first time that a United Kingdom guarantee program demands it for trout.”

“We hope to see the rules implemented and accompany the industry in another important advance in welfare.”

Updated standards include:

• Now periodic evaluations of the welfare results in the fresh and seawater centers must be carried out.
• CCTV systems must cover the entire sacrifice process, including the initial entry and exit of the system, the stun, the killing and the passage of the fish through the evaluation area after the stunning or towards it.
• The prohibition of specific sacrifice methods, such as suffocation and narcosis with carbon dioxide, that RSPCA does not consider human.
• The introduction of several new standards related to the use of non -medicinal treatments for sea louse and gill disease. These stipulate that these treatments should only be carried out under veterinary council and only when it is the best for fish. Better record maintenance is also required.
• Daily controls in all tanks and enclosures to detect dying fish (patients or dying) with rapid and appropriate actions.
• A greater approach to reducing antibiotics. The use of antibiotics should now be reviewed annually or at the end of the production cycle. The RSPCA recognizes the previous and current work of the industry to promote the responsible use of antibiotics and expects its new standards to support this relevant work.