Lawyers have been given permission by the High Court to challenge a council’s decision to approve a major British salmon farm.
- Animal Equality has been granted permission to challenge the UK’s first major land-based salmon farm. Only 5% of cases get to this stage.
- The farm is planned to “produce” 5,000 tonnes of fish a year – the equivalent of around a million fish a year. This has raised concerns for the animals and the environment, given the high energy and water usage of such sites.
- Experts have warned of the high potential for a “mass mortality event,” in which fish die due to problems with the system. They have also expressed concern about the volume of waste produced.
- Proponents argue that Planning Commission members were instructed not to consider animal welfare when voting to approve the project, a factor they could have considered in their decision-making.
- The High Court will now consider whether the approval is lawful.
On 5 September 2024, the UK Supreme Court granted permission for Animal Equality to challenge the approval of the country’s first large land-based salmon farm.
Despite warnings from experts, North East Lincolnshire Council approved the project in 2023. The farm – which aims to produce 5,000 tonnes of fish a year – would be one of the largest of its kind in the world.
Animal Equality is now taking legal action to stop the project, to protect millions of fish from suffering and prevent environmental damage.
Acceptance despite concerns
In November, the Council’s Planning Committee voted 7-4 to approve the farm, despite warnings from experts and residents.
Abigail Penny—chief executive of Animal Equality UK—and fish expert Mark Borthwick travelled ten hours to attend the meeting. They warned the committee about the high risk of fish kills and the potential environmental damage the farm could cause.
Borthwick argued that AquaCultured Seafood Limited—the company behind the farm—had unrealistic expectations. He raised concerns about the large amount of water the farm would require and the excessive waste it would generate.
Some Council members shared these concerns, particularly regarding the size of the farm and its energy use. Despite these concerns, the Commission approved the project.
Animal Equality’s Legal Challenge
Animal Equality argued that the Council’s approval was unlawful because the Commission had been instructed not to consider animal welfare when making its decision.
Abigail Penny warned the committee about the risks, citing a case of 1.5 million fish dying at another land-based farm due to a system failure. Meanwhile, Councilwoman Hudson dismissed these concerns and the lives of the animals at risk, saying, “…[I]If it fails, we will rebuild something else in the future.”
Fish deaths on the rise at salmon farms
Animal Equality and Borthwick have highlighted the increasing number of fish deaths on salmon farms in the UK. Between January and November 2023, more than 5.8 million salmon died on freshwater fish farms—a 43% increase on the previous year.
Similar problems have occurred globally. In 2023, 2 million fish died of gill disease at a land-based farm in Norway.
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Environmental Impact
The farm also raises serious concerns about its environmental risks. It is located near a protected area that is home to rare species, such as the Wall Butterfly. It is predicted to produce as much waste as a city of 400,000 people, posing a significant threat to local ecosystems.
The council has not carried out an Environmental Impact Assessment, adding to concerns. It is also unclear how effective the company’s waste management system will be.
What’s next?
The High Court has allowed Animal Equality to proceed with a legal challenge. The case will now go to the full Tribunal, where it will decide whether the Council’s approval was lawful. If the advocates are successful, the Council will need to reconsider the farm’s application.
Delaying the construction of the farm could leave millions of fish without access to harsh, unnatural conditions.
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How you can help
The legal battle is part of Animal Equality’s broader mission to protect fish, which currently lack strong legal protections. A key focus is to stop the growth of fish farming – particularly in overcrowded cages – where many fish die before reaching slaughter.
The fight against mega-salmon farms is just one part of Animal Equality’s larger campaign to end factory farming. Whether it’s fish, chickens, pigs, or cows, factory farms lead to overcrowding, disease, and immense suffering. In the United States, 99% of farmed animals endure these harsh conditions.
You can help end this cruelty by signing Animal Equality’s petition to end factory farming in the United States.
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