“A number of farms were the subject of unfounded allegations of welfare breaches earlier this week by a campaigning group using footage supplied by anti-fish farm activists,” notes the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO), in a press release explaining the decision.

“At least one of the claims about Scotland’s salmon farms in that report was wrong while others were exaggerated and distorted,” says the SSPO.

Tavish Scott, chief executive of the SSPO, said: “We take all allegations about breaches of fish welfare extremely seriously which is why we are taking this step.