Wester Ross gains RSPCA Freedom Foods approval

In May 2004, Wester Ross successfully met the stringent requirements of the RSPCA Freedom Foods standard. This standard will allow further differentiation from other commodity salmon farmers; The RSPCA Freedom Food scheme covers all aspects of salmon rearing – management, husbandry, equipment, environmental quality, feeding, health, transport and slaughter. Animal welfare is consistently repeated by consumers as being of critical concern in farming; this seal of approval will give the consumer full reassurance that only the highest standards of welfare are practiced by Wester Ross.

Why is this standard different?

• significantly lower stocking densities
• handling methods to ensure absolute minimal stress; we are the only farm whose salmon are graded in the pens; stress-free salmon are happy salmon!
• Minimal starvation period prior to harvest
• Humane slaughter method which is minimal stress, and therefore tastes better

Key facts on Freedom Food:-

• only welfare focused farm assurance scheme in the UK
• the consumer understands this logo to mean caring and responsible farming
• consumer research has shown that Freedom Food is one of the most highly recognised labels in the UK.

Retailers will be able to promote our salmon reared to this standard with plastic tags on whole fish and fillets. Additional promotional material may be available if required. Food Service and catering outlets can differentiate their salmon on menus by using the freedom foods logo. Processors / Smokers of our salmon can further differentiate using the Freedom Foods logo on packed fresh and smoked salmon. Freedom Foods will need to inspect the processing facilities to ensure that a full traceability system is in place, and occasional random purchases will be made to ensure that the traceability system operates.

Wester Ross Fisheries Ltd. Registered in Scotland No. SC 29 73 76
Registered Office: Ardmair Ullapool, Ross-shire, Scotland IV26 2TN
Tel: +44 (0)1667 455 222  Fax: +44 (0)1667 455 184 Email: sales@wrs.co.uk
Directors: J.R.G.Bradley, C.W.Milne, H J T Richards, D A Robinson