When some people become aware of the realities of large-scale animal farming, they choose to become vegetarian or vegan. The RSPCA respects this choice. The RSPCA acknowledges that not consuming animal-derived products is one way to demonstrate compassion towards farm animals. The RSPCA also acknowledges the link between farm animal…
Just as with other farmed vertebrates such as cattle, sheep and poultry, the humane slaughter of fish requires that fish are handled carefully and effectively stunned (causing immediate insensibility) prior to being bled out. Unfortunately, traditional methods of killing fish do not meet these requirements. Farmed fish are still commonly…
The RSPCA Standard for farmed Atlantic salmon focusses on ensuring good farming practices, fish handling, husbandry and management. For good fish welfare, fish have space to swim normally in oxygen-rich water and can school with other fish, they are handled in a low stress manner and are slaughtered humanely. During…
When they have reached slaughter weight, farmed Atlantic salmon may be removed from their sea pens through large pipes and transferred to special catching and slaughter boats that sit alongside the pen. Alternatively, well boats are used or the whole pen is slowly towed towards shore where fish are transferred…
In 2018, fifty two percent of global fish production for human consumption was aquaculture-based fishery [1]. With reduced abundance of wild caught fish stocks and increasing demand for seafood, this percentage is likely to increase in the future. Aquaculture is seen as an alternative to global and domestic decline in…
In Tasmania, farmed Atlantic salmon may be vulnerable to attack by seals and sea birds. Maintaining good fish welfare by protecting farmed Atlantic salmon from predators, such as seals and sea birds is critical to the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme standards. Fish are vulnerable to stress, injuries and mortalities as…
Compliance with regulatory requirements in relation to environmental impact management and monitoring is a prerequisite of the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme Standard for farmed Atlantic salmon. This means that an aquaculture company must demonstrate ongoing compliance with a recognised, third-party audited certification scheme that promotes best environmental practice. RSPCA will…
The RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme is Australia’s leading independent certification scheme focused on animal welfare. We work closely with farmers to make a positive impact on the lives of farm animals by providing an environment that meets their behavioural needs. Since releasing our first animal welfare standards for farmed Atlantic salmon in…
The commercial collection of fetal bovine serum refers to the collection of blood from fetal calves at abattoirs for the commercial production of blood serum. Because the blood of unborn calves has only been exposed to its mother’s blood coming to it across the placenta, fetal blood is free of…
The RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme is Australia’s leading independent certification scheme focused on animal welfare. The RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme’s vision is a future of higher welfare farming and its mission to improve the quality of life of farmed animals. We work closely with farmers to make a positive impact…