Outbreak of sea lice exposed! Tesco urgently halts supply of Bakkafrost salmon in Scotland

After severe sea lice infestations were filmed in a net pen that was supposed to be empty, Tesco has taken measures to suspend orders. The leading British retailer Tesco has suspended the purchase of salmon from a farm in the Scottish Northwest Highlands operated by Bakkafrost Scotland. Previously, the animal protection organization Animal Equality UK claimed to have secretly filmed salmon covered in sea lice in a net pen that was supposed to be empty, a situation that allegedly violates animal welfare regulations. According to a BBC News report on Thursday, Animal Equality UK has submitted a formal complaint to the relevant authorities about the farm (located in Loch Torridon). In a statement shared with IntraFish, the company said it "takes animal welfare very seriously" and called the footage "extremely concerning." The statement noted that all suppliers must adhere to the highest standards of animal welfare requirements. The statement pointed out: "We have immediately suspended supplies from this farm and are conducting an investigation with the supplier. Any behavior that fails to meet our high welfare standards is unacceptable, and we will take swift action when necessary." Executive Director Abigail Penny told BBC: "Ignoring fish trapped in an empty net pen is both illegal and cruel." Sea lice feed on the mucus, skin, and blood of salmon. These parasites can spread rapidly in farms, and severe infestations not only cause wounds on the fish but also increase stress and the risk of disease. Operating over 60 salmon farms and employing more than 500 staff, the company stated in a statement to IntraFish that they had immediately removed the fish and were cooperating with relevant regulatory authorities. A spokesperson for Bakkafrost Scotland said: "Five months ago, we found a very small number of fish in the Loch Torridon site, which had been declared fallow." "Afterwards, we conducted a comprehensive process review and implemented stricter control measures to ensure that such incidents do not recur." Both Bakkafrost and Tesco emphasized that animal welfare is of utmost importance to them. Tesco stated that the company is "conducting independent audits of all own-brand suppliers in accordance with the Tesco Welfare Assured animal welfare standards."