Animal protection organisation Animal Equality UK captured members of the public beating trout with batons at Bibury Trout Farm, where visitors, including families and young children, are “encouraged to catch and kill live trout” with minimal supervision or training.
The footage was taken during multiple visits in March, April and July 2025, with campaigners describing the scenes as “a harrowing series of welfare abuses”.
Numerous instances of trout being hit as many as 10 times were filmed, often with workers present, while fish were frequently left out of water for extended periods – one for up to 20 minutes – before being slaughtered.
In multiple cases trout were not adequately stunned and were seen moving or gasping long after the initial blow, and visitors reported witnessing still-living trout being taken to the farm’s gutting station.
“This is animal abuse, plain and simple,” said Abigail Penny, executive director of Animal Equality UK.
“If dogs or cats were treated this way, there would be national outrage and swift legal action. But because these are fish, the violence is ignored. We must ask ourselves: what are we teaching our children by allowing them to watch and take part in this suffering? What future are we creating where animals suffer so extremely, simply to land on our plates?”
The farm supplies trout to local restaurants, hotels and farmers markets across the Cotswolds. Signage across the farm states that trout are “carefully handled, nurtured and cared for” and that all fish caught “must be killed by an adult”.
“This is a legal and ethical vacuum,” added Penny.
“Without binding protections, tens of millions of trout, salmon, and other farmed fish will continue to suffer extremely and in silence in their final moments of life. They are denied even the most basic of legal protections, the most basic compassion.”
In response to the footage being made public, a spokesperson for Bibury Trout Farm told The Guardian that welfare measures on site have been strengthened in recent months.
“We now require that one trained member of staff is responsible for no more than five fishing rods at any time, ensuring closer supervision and greater control of fish handling practices,” they said.
“Fish at the farm have traditionally been humanely killed using a priest, a method that has been in practice for many years. The fishery also serves an educational role, helping children and families understand where food originates and the importance of responsible farming practices.
“Bibury Trout Farm has been part of the community since 1902 and has operated a fishery for many years. We serve a diverse community, including many visitors from overseas, some of whom do not speak English. To ensure everyone fully understands our rules and welfare standards, all visitors are required to watch a three-minute tutorial video on arrival, followed by a briefing from a member of staff. Clear signage is also displayed across the site to reinforce this guidance.
“We operate a strict zero-tolerance policy: if visitors fail to follow the rules, staff will immediately ask them to leave the area. If any breaches of welfare standards are identified, appropriate action will be taken without delay. The welfare of the animals in our care is our highest priority and we remain committed to maintaining best practice at all times.”
Animal Equality has since called on the devolved governments in the UK to introduce legally enforceable, species-specific slaughter legislation for farmed fish, while the organisation has instructed law firm Advocates for Animals to submit a formal complaint to Gloucestershire Trading Standards.
