BBC presenter Chris Packham may quit as UK RSPCA president over horror footage of injured salmon

UK RSPCA President Chris Packham has sensationally threatened to quit in an animal welfare row, after salmon were filmed swimming around without tails and with chunks missing from their bodies. Stomach-churning footage - filmed covertly at a farm run by a major seafood company supplying UK supermarkets - shows animals with bare bones and pink flesh exposed. Others have lumps missing from around their heads and necks.

Mr Packham described the video as abhorrent and said it was evidence of appalling levels of cruelty at Scotland's fish-farms.

Earlier this year the farm where the footage was shot was certified by RSPCA Assured - a not-for-profit body, affiliated to the RSPCA, which aims to reassure consumers that animal welfare standards have been met. But in light of the new video footage, Mr Packham has condemned the RSPCA Assured scheme - and signalled that unless changes are made in the way welfare is enforced, he might quit as RSPCA President.

• Read the full text of Mr Packham's statement in the Daily Mail 14 July 2024 report (the video may cause distress)
• NOFF has previously challenged RSPCA Australia to justify their accreditation of Tasmanian salmon farms.