Tesco suspends Highland fish farm after 'extremely concerning' footage

Tesco has suspended use of a fish farm in the Highlands after “extremely concerning” footage from an animal protection organisation.

Animal Equality UK alleges salmon infested with sea lice were left in a pen which was supposed to be vacant at a Bakkafrost Scotland farm on Loch Torridon.

They say footage, filmed covertly, shows “serious animal welfare and legal breaches” at the site.

The animal protection organisation says fish left at the site exhibited signs of “prolonged suffering due to sea lice infestations, open wounds, and visible lesions”.

Bakkafrost Scotland, which operates more than 45 sites across the west of Scotland, said a “very small number of fish” were identified five months ago at a site which had been declared fallow.

The company said that the salmon had been removed.

Tesco confirmed it immediately suspended the farm whilst investigations with its supplier are under way.

A Tesco spokesperson said: “We take animal welfare extremely seriously, and we expect all our suppliers to adhere to our high welfare standards.

“This footage is extremely concerning, and we have immediately suspended the farm whilst we investigate with our supplier.

“Any failure to meet our high welfare standards is unacceptable, and we take swift action where necessary.

“We continue to work with our suppliers to drive improvements in animal welfare through independently auditing all our own brand suppliers against our Tesco Welfare Assured standards.”

Abigail Penny, executive director of Animal Equality UK, said: “This is potentially a very serious crime. Abandoning fish who are trapped in cages on a farm that should have been empty is both unlawful and cruel.

“It shows a shocking disregard for animal welfare and the regulations in place. This footage sends a disturbing message about Bakkafrost’s standards.

“The Scottish salmon farming industry operates under a veil of secrecy, where malpractice can be hidden and accountability is rare.”

A spokesperson for Bakkafrost Scotland said: “Five months ago, a very small number of fish were identified at our site on Loch Torridon, which had been declared fallow.

“We acted immediately to remove the fish, working with the relevant authorities.

“Following this, we undertook a comprehensive review of our procedures and implemented enhanced controls to ensure this does not happen again.

“At Bakkafrost Scotland, fish health and welfare are central to everything we do, and we remain committed to the highest standards of care and continuous improvement across operations.”

Under Scottish environmental and aquaculture regulations, fallow periods are designed to break cycles of parasites and diseases that thrive in fish farming environments.

The Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs and Islands Committee published findings from an inquiry into the salmon industry earlier this year.

It concluded that it “questions the long-term viability of the sector” due to growing concerns over animal welfare, environmental pollution, and regulatory failures.