Scottish Salmon Farmers Achieve Historic Reduction in Antibiotic Use

Scottish salmon farmers have made significant strides in reducing antibiotic usage, achieving a record low in 2024.

Recent statistics reveal an astonishing 80% decrease in antibiotic use within just one year, representing a shift from 24.8 mg per kilo in 2023 to an all-time low of 5.1 mg per kilo in 2024. This remarkable achievement follows over £1 billion invested in innovations related to veterinary care, technology, and fish stock management.

Commitment to Fish Health and Responsible Medicine Use

Maintaining the health of farmed salmon sometimes necessitates careful intervention, including the use of antibiotics for specific bacterial infections. However, these medicines are prescribed solely when expert veterinarians determine they are essential for treating genuine health concerns.

All antibiotic usage is strictly regulated under licenses issued by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), ensuring responsible practices within the industry.

Key Data Highlights

Figures released by the trade body Salmon Scotland underscore this decline in antibiotic use:

• Only 8% of salmon farms required antibiotic treatment in 2024.
• The usage percentage was even lower in specific environments, with just 7.1% of seawater farms and 10.6% of freshwater farms utilizing antibiotics.
• This translates to the vast majority of farms operating without any antibiotic use.

Importantly, the salmon sector does not use antibiotics classified as high-priority for human health, and testing indicates no traces of antibiotics are present in the food chain, allowing consumers to enjoy Scottish salmon with confidence.

Improvements in Fish Health and Industry Performance

Accompanying these statistical achievements, data shows an impressive monthly survival rate averaging 99.12% for the first half of 2024, marking the best early-year performance since this information began being publicly shared in 2018. Cumulative mortality has also decreased by more than a third this year, with overall survival across all farms reaching 82.3%, a noteworthy increase from 72.3% in 2023.

Economic Impact and Market Growth

Scottish salmon remains the UK’s largest food export, supporting around 12,500 jobs in the region and contributing £760 million to the local economy. International sales hit an impressive £840 million last year, reinforcing salmon’s status as the UK’s most favored fish with annual sales reaching £1.5 billion.

Expert Insight

Dr. Iain Berrill, head of technical at Salmon Scotland, remarked:

“This is a significant milestone for Scottish salmon farmers. Antibiotic use has fallen to the lowest level we have ever recorded. Like any medicine, antibiotics are used responsibly and only when absolutely necessary in the health and welfare interests of our fish. We remain committed to reducing usage as much as possible while ensuring the health and welfare of our fish, thereby giving consumers complete confidence in Scottish salmon.”

Dr. Berrill emphasized that these improvements reflect ongoing advancements in fish health and survival across the industry, showcasing the positive impact of sustained investment in veterinary care, technology, and stock management.

Source

Main Image © Salmon Scotland