Helen Browning, the organization's Chief Executive, said that progress remains negligible despite more than 20 years of work on providing resources for good living in salmon farming. Organic standards predict lower stock density in marine cages and prohibit some chemical applications. However, the review found that organic salmon death rates in recent years were not significantly better than those of non-organic facilities.
The review also noted problems with preventing animals from suffering, as it was difficult to treat individual fish or administer euthanasia. Browning said that with the warming of the seas, new risks to salmon welfare have arisen, with jellyfish blooms among these problems.
The Soil Association explained that the salmon industry could find solutions to these challenges with innovations, but it is not sure that the problems will be addressed in an appropriate time frame through its own standards. The organization reported that more extensive research and development work was needed. Consumers may not immediately notice that the logo has been removed from the products, as the processors will be given time to change their packaging.
