Scottish Salmon gains Freedom Food status

The Scottish Salmon Company – the leading independent Scottish salmon producer with 20% market share – has been granted Freedom Food status at three of its marine sites around Mull and on Loch Carron.

The endorsement is an important step towards the company’s aim for Freedom Food accreditation across all its sites in the west coast and islands of Scotland. The Freedom Food accreditation has also been awarded to the company’s harvest station at Lochinver and processing plant at Cairndow.

Heading up the drive for full accreditation is Kim Irvine, who said: “We are delighted to have been granted Freedom Food status at three marine sites. Our procedures mean that we are currently working to the RSPCA fish welfare standards but the accreditation from Freedom Food gives formality to our working practices.

It is a long process, up to two years, to complete the accreditation across the company as each site is assessed individually at the time of restocking, but it is very worthwhile as fish welfare is very important.

The Freedom Food scheme covers every stage of the fish’s life, governed by strict and compulsory RSPCA welfare standards. Marine and freshwater farms are inspected against the RSPCA welfare standards, which include criteria on grading, moving and handling, transportation and slaughter.

Find out more online at www.scottishsalmon.com