If we can get Sainsbury’s to reject salmon farmed in sites that rely on toxic pesticides, we’ll be one step closer to forcing the industry to change.
In order to control flesh-eating lice that threaten their salmon populations, salmon factory farmers have upped their use of toxic chemicals by 1,000% in the last decade, according to new official data. What’s worse, many of these chemicals are linked to infertility in wild salmon and fatal nerve damage in shellfish.
That’s why environmental advocates like Salmon & Trout Conservation Scotland have challenged big supermarket chains like Sainsbury’s to stand up to reckless chemical use in the salmon industry.
Tell Sainsbury’s to take action for sustainable salmon and ban farmed fish from pesticide-treated sites.
The new official statistics are renewing public fervour over damaging environmental practices in the fish factory farming industry. Since 2002, farmers have conducted some 8,500 chemical treatments, dumping nearly four tonnes of chemicals into the sea.
This isn’t the first time conservationists have taken Sainsbury’s to task. Last year, under pressure from Salmon & Trout Conservation Scotland, Sainsbury’s claimed a commitment to reducing chemical use by rearing salmon in environments free from sea lice.
But critics say they’re tired of Sainsbury’s “warm words” and want real, immediate action. With new official data detailing just how harmful the salmon industry’s use of chemicals is, it’s the perfect time to double down on pressuring Sainsbury’s to do the right thing and ban salmon farmed from pesticide-treated sites.
Urge Sainsbury’s to stand for sustainable salmon practices and ban farmed fish that are raised through the use of harmful chemicals.
One year ago, SumOfUs members won a huge victory against Sainsbury's. Over 70,000 of us demanded that Sainsbury's protect the Arctic food chain by pulling krill oil from its shelves - and we won! Let's do it again.
More information
The Telegraph. 14 January 2017.
The Times. 1 January 2017.