Tesco under attack for escaped trout investigation

In February, 4,000 rainbow trout escaped from a Scottrout farm, with the majority entering the premium salmon river, River Awe.

This was one of many escapes from Scottrout affecting the river. Consequently the Argyll Salmon Fishery Board (ASFG) contacted Scottrout’s major customer, the supermarket giant Tesco.

Tesco then carried out an investigation into possible breaches of its code of practice for trout farming. However, the AFSG told the Press and Journal that all its requests to meet the Tesco investigator have been ignored.

A spokesman for Tesco told the newspaper that they had concluded that the escape was caused by freak weather conditions.

Andrew Wallace, managing director of the ASFG told the Press and Journal: “It is extremely disappointing that Britain’s major supermarket appears determined to draw a veil of secrecy over this investigation.

“If Tesco’s environmental credentials are to have any credibility with Scotland’s wild fish sector, then investigations into serious breaches by fish farmers of their codes of practice need to be transparent.”