news has previously told about the mass death of salmon at several facilities belonging to the salmon giant Lerøy Seafood Group. Group director for aquaculture, Bjarne Reinert, at Lerøy Seafood has confirmed that an abnormally large number of salmon have died at several of Lerøy’s facilities this autumn. This has caused concerns at the grocery giant Norgesgruppen, which is behind stores such as Kiwi, Meny and Spar. – We share the concern that has come to light about animal welfare linked to salmon farming, says Kine Søyland, communications manager at Norgesgruppen. She says that they have received assurances from Lerøy that this is a situation that they are taking very seriously. – We have no reason to believe that they do not. This photo from Ulværholmen shows masses of dead or passed out fish lying belly up. Closer dialogue This autumn, Lerøy Seafood Group lost a lot of money on sick and dead salmon that had to be slaughtered before they were actually due. This is particularly associated with disease in the gills, which has meant that the salmon has not been able to breathe. In addition, they have had parasites and heart disease. The fish has been very sick, but has been sold as food without being labeled, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority believes. The situation means that Norgesgruppen must have a closer dialogue with the company. The salmon breathes with its gills. Disease in the gills has caused the salmon to have breathing problems and presumably suffocated. Photo: Norwegian Food Safety Authority The grocery giant expects the situation to be closely monitored. Søyland points out that it is crucial for customers to be able to trust the products sold in their stores. – We have clear expectations that animal welfare is taken care of by all our suppliers. It is absolutely fundamental, and it is something we assume for all our suppliers, says Søyland. This is what the regulations on increased mortality say. Regulations on aquaculture define increased mortality as “higher than normal”: Breeders and slaughterhouses have a duty to notify. Dead fish must be removed at least once a day. Mortality must be recorded daily. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority’s guide to regulations says: Increased mortality must be reported immediately. The report must contain the number of dead fish. By “immediately” is meant at once All incidents that negatively affect fish welfare must be notified immediately. Lerøy emphasizes that they take animal welfare seriously. – We take fish welfare very seriously and look seriously at the situation we have had at some of our locations, said executive director Bjarne Reinert to news earlier in November. Sinking on the stock market On Wednesday, the CEO of Lerøy Seafood Group, Henning Beltestad, presented that the third quarter shows lower figures. – At the end of the third quarter, there have been some biological challenges, especially in relation to gill health, says Beltestad. Henning Beltestad is CEO of Lerøy Seafood Group. Photo: NTB In addition, the farming company plummets on the stock market. Lerøy is worth 20 per cent less than it was at the start of the year. – We can improve. We can, says Beltestad.
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The Norgesgruppen is concerned about animal welfare after salmon revelations – news Vestland
