The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is facing criticism after it decided not to punish a fish farming company caught on film with lice-infested salmon.
Scarred, frayed and lice-infested salmon caught on film at a fish farm off the island of Lewis have prompted animal cruelty investigations.
Two fish farming companies tried to block publication of graphic images of their damaged salmon, according to emails released by the Scottish Government.
Supermarkets are selling farmed salmon from companies accused of poor animal welfare, The Ferret can reveal.
Salmon farmers with the worst records on animal welfare have been named and shamed by campaigners hoping to provoke reforms.
The diseases, damage and infestations suffered by hundreds of thousands of caged salmon in Scotland have been exposed by more than 300 photos released by the Scottish Government.
The fish farming industry had to throw away up to ten million salmon last year because of diseases, lice and other problems.
At least 45 lochs around Scotland’s coast have been contaminated by toxic pesticides from fish farms that can harm wildlife and human health.
Scotland’s salmon farming industry will lose its biggest £200 million export market to the US if it persists in shooting seals.
