Major blow for popular Aussie food product after 'out of control' allegations
Tasmania's salmon farming industry has had a terrible four weeks. And today it got worse, with the RSPCA announcing it's permanently cutting ties with one of the country's biggest producers, Huon.
After a bacterial outbreak killed over 1 million salmon across the state, workers for Huon, which is a subsidiary of Brazil's largest meat producer JBS, were caught on camera throwing writhing live and dead salmon into the same containers and sealing them shut. In response, the RSPCA initially suspended its accreditation for 14 days, citing concerns about the 'inhumane handling of live, sick or injured fish' which it said was 'unacceptable'.
RSPCA Australia CEO Richard Mussell acknowledged its decision was made after a single incident, but he said certified producers need to meet standards 'that go well above the minimum legal requirements'.
'The decision to withdraw a certification reflects how seriously we take incidents like this that compromise animal welfare,' he said. 'Fish, including those farmed for human consumption, are sentient beings and, like other animals, can experience pain and suffering. When they're farmed for food, the welfare of fish must be front of mind.'
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Local media reported Huon was "incredibly disappointed" by the decision and said the incident occurred during an "unprecedented, challenging period". Yahoo News has reached out to peak body Salmon Tasmania for comment.
Conservation group Bob Brown Foundation accused the industry of being "completely out of control" and congratulated the RSPCA on its decision.
"The RSPCA should have never taken money from these factory farms in the first place, which was a clear compromise of their standards. We thank the RSPCA for returning to upholding their values and morals in this instance," spokesperson Alistair Allan said.
The salmon farming industry has faced growing pressure to reform its operations, which critics say is harming the 'clean, green' reputation of food produced on the island state.
Beaches in Tasmania have been inundated with foul-smelling chunks of dead salmon that have died from disease, sparking large protests. And one major food delivery app, Box Divvy, has cut ties with the industry and switched to New Zealand produce.
Despite the controversy, major political figures including the state's premier Jeremy Rockliff and federal opposition leader Peter Dutton have stuck by the international salmon farming multinationals that operate in Tasmania's waters. And Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has vowed his government will push through legislation guaranteeing the industry's future.
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His government's measure is designed to counter legal battles the industry faces over its impact on the Maugean skate, a native fish that's been pushed to near extinction due to poor water quality in its only habitat, Macquarie Harbour.
While the RSPCA had previously accredited products farmed by Huon, it had refused to allow its label to be used on salmon farmed in Macquarie Harbour. Both Coles and Woolworths controversially sell salmon from the region as 'sustainable'.
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