Feeding
RSPCA welfare standards for farmed Atlantic salmon 18 September 2015
* indicates an amendment
Fasting
Although salmon may not feed for long periods in the wild, depriving a farmed fish that has
previously been fed regularly will usually have an adverse effect on welfare. It is unacceptable to
deprive salmon of food for perceived flesh quality reasons.
F 4.1
For harvest fish, fasting time must:
a) not exceed 72 hours (unless directed by the designated veterinary surgeon for fish welfare reasons)
b) be recorded in the VHWP (see H 1.1).
F 4.2 After any period of fasting, food must be reintroduced in a way that:
a) encourages the fish to resume feeding
b) minimises waste
c) producers can demonstrate does not compromise fish welfare.
F 4.3 Records must be kept of the period for which the fish were fasted and when feed was reintroduced.
i