Huon Aquaculture has become the first Australian seafood producer to join the RSPCA’s Approved Farming Scheme meaning it is now able to supply the country’s only range of RSPCA-approved salmon.
The Tasmania-based company’s accreditation will enable consumers to purchase salmon that has been grown with a strong focus on animal welfare.
Huon Aquaculture’s executive director Frances Bender, said: “Fish welfare has always been essential to every aspect of what we do. That’s why, after a lot of extremely hard work by all of our people and as Australia’s first RSPCA Approved salmon farmer, we are proud to be leading the way in farming salmon safely, sustainably and with a strong focus on welfare.
“We’ve never wanted to be the biggest salmon farmers; we want to be the best. Being able to supply Australia’s only range of RSPCA Approved Salmon means that consumers that care and want the best for themselves and their families can now do that with confidence by choosing Huon.”
More work ahead
Heather Neil, CEO of RSPCA Australia, said: “Huon’s participation in the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme will give customers looking for an animal welfare friendly salmon product a good choice. It’s a good outcome for millions of fish and consumers wanting to make a more humane choice.”
All fish grown in Tasmania’s south are RSPCA-approved however, salmon grown in Macquarie Harbour, Tasmania, are not currently part of the Approved Farming Scheme.
“It is no secret that we have concerns over the health of Macquarie Harbour, as does the RSPCA. When environmental conditions improve, the RSPCA will look at independent science and review this decision,” said Bender.
“Our farming ethos has stood us in good stead for the last 32 years, and will for many more years to come,” she concluded.
