Scotland's Salmon Farming Industry Solves Environmental Problems By Removing Word "Farmed" From Salmon Packaging

Following the dismissal of their appeal against the alteration to the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), the two animal welfare groups expressed their disappointment yesterday (Monday, January 27). They said the ruling amounted to allowing the industry to make false or misleading claims about its environmental impact. Rachel Mulrenan, Scotland Director at WildFish, said: “This name change is just a continuation of the industry trying to make misleading claims about the reputation of Scottish farmed salmon in the eyes of consumers. And what’s worse, the law is allowing this to happen.

“Objectively, referring to this intensively farmed product as “Scottish Salmon” instead of “Scottish Farmed Salmon” gives consumers less information about how that fish was brought to supermarket shelves and plates. “This is a clear case of greenwashing. However, the law on PGIs was not drafted with attempts at greenwashing in mind. While we were able at the Tribunal to get over many of the legal hurdles, sadly, we could not clear them all.”

The wording of the PGI has been a bone of contention for animal welfare groups for some time and when the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) allowed the deletion of “farmed” from the Scottish salmon descriptor, WildFish, Animal Equality and other NGOs objected. The issue was then referred to a tribunal. During the hearing in London last November, the DEFRA legal team argued the word “farmed” might be considered “pejorative” by some.

The appeal against DEFRA was supported by Dale Vince, founder of energy firm Ecotricity, who said: “Fundamentally, we need to know what we’re eating. We could all make better choices when we know where the food we’re choosing comes from. I am disappointed with the result, but the fight will continue.”

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https://www.welovestornoway.com/index.php/articles/37044-salmon-industry-accused-of-greenwashing-over-name-change