Legislation & Guidelines - Summary of UK Legislation
The welfare of fish farmed for food is presently covered in the UK by the Agriculture Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1968, which makes it an offence to cause any farm animal unnecessary pain or distress. This legislation only covers livestock on agricultural land, but protection on non-agricultural land is afforded by the Protection of Animals Act 1911, which protects against general offences of cruelty against any domestic or captive animal (including fish).
Other legislation and regulations that are relevant to fish welfare include:
- The Registration of Fish Farming and Shellfish Farming Business Order 1985; requires all fish farms to be registered and specifies the requirement for all registered farms to keep records of stock movements and mortality.
- The Welfare of Animals Regulations (Slaughter and Killing) 1995; makes it an offence for anyone engaged in the movement, restraint and stunning of fish to cause or permit any fish to sustain any avoidable excitement, pain or suffering.
- Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997; requires animals to be transported in a way that does not, and is not likely to, cause injury or unnecessary suffering.
- Fish Health Regulations, 1997; granted powers of inspection to The Fish Health Inspectorate for the collection of samples for the purposes of monitoring and control of certain diseases.
More specific legislation is soon likely to come into force as part of the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy for Great Britain.