Scottish salmon farmers have reduced their use of antibiotics to the lowest level on record, cutting use by nearly 80% in a single year. New reports highlight this dramatic fall following more than £1 billion of investment in innovation across veterinary care, technology and stock management.

Protecting fish health sometimes requires extra care, and in rare cases, antibiotics are used to treat bacterial challenges. However, medicines are administered only when qualified veterinarians deem them necessary and when there is clear evidence that treatment will improve fish welfare. In Scotland, all antibiotic use is strictly licensed by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and overseen by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA).

According to new figures published by trade body Salmon Scotland, antibiotic use in 2024 fell to just 5.1 mg/kg (79% reduction) from 24.8 mg/kg in 2023 and the lowest level since records began. This represents a significant improvement compared with 16.1 mg/kg in 2017, when the sector first started publishing antibiotic data. Only 8% of salmon farms required antibiotic treatment in 2024, just 7.1% of seawater farms and 10.6% of freshwater farms, meaning the vast majority used none at all.

Importantly, the salmon sector publishes antibiotic use data covering 100% of farms. No antibiotics identified as high priority for human health were ever used, and there was no trace of antibiotics in the food chain, meaning consumers can enjoy fresh Scottish salmon with confidence.

These results are reinforced by broader improvements in fish health and survival. Separate data show that monthly survival averaged 99.12% between January and June 2024, the best start to a year since voluntary reporting began in 2018. Cumulative mortality fell by more than a third, with overall survival across all farms reaching 82.3%, up ten percentage points from 72.3% the previous year.

Scottish salmon remains the UK’s biggest food export, supporting 12,500 jobs in Scotland and generating £760 million for the local economy. International sales hit a record £840 million last year, while at home, salmon continues to be the nation’s favourite fish, with £1.5 billion in annual sales.

Iain Berrill, head of technical at trade body Salmon Scotland, said: “This is a major milestone for Scottish salmon farmers. Antibiotic use has fallen to the lowest level we have ever recorded. The antibiotics are used responsibly and only when absolutely necessary in the health and welfare interests of our fish.” To conclude, Berril added: “We continue to work to reduce use as low as possible while ensuring our fish stay healthy, giving consumers full confidence in Scottish salmon. These results also reflect the improvements in fish health and survival across the sector, showing the results of sustained investment in veterinary care, technology and stock management.”