Mowi, Scotland’s leading salmon producer, has lost its Royal Warrant following a series of animal welfare controversies that have cast a shadow over the prestigious company’s operations in the Highlands and Islands. The Royal Warrant, which had been held for 35 years, permitted Mowi to display the Royal Arms on its products and promote its long-standing relationship supplying fresh salmon to the Royal Family. In early November 2025, the Royal Warrant Holders Association confirmed the warrant had been withdrawn, bringing an abrupt end to one of Scottish aquaculture’s most prominent royal connections.
The loss of this esteemed mark of recognition follows the publication of undercover footage taken at Mowi’s Loch Harport farm on the Isle of Skye earlier this year. Gathered by the Green Britain Foundation, the video appeared to show salmon being beaten to death and fish left to suffocate—actions that stand in stark violation of the UK’s animal welfare regulations, which require live fish be out of water for no more than 15 seconds and stipulate that any dying fish must be rendered immediately insensible. The RSPCA deemed the content “extremely upsetting” and subsequently suspended Mowi’s Skye site from its welfare assurance scheme. The site has also attracted strong criticism from environmental groups and activists, with figures such as Feargal Sharkey and Chris Packham calling for improved industry oversight and higher welfare standards.
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While Mowi acknowledged its “honour” in serving as a Royal Warrant holder, the company declined to offer detailed comment, noting the matter was at the discretion of the Royal Household. Traditionally, reasons for a warrant’s withdrawal are not disclosed by the Royal Warrant Holders Association nor the Royal Family, in line with protocol. The controversy arrived at a time of increasing scrutiny for Mowi, following major fish escapes during recent storms, including a widely reported incident at Loch Linnhe which saw 75,000 farmed salmon enter local waters.
For Scotland’s aquaculture sector, the withdrawal signals a pivotal moment. The Palace’s removal of support highlights a growing focus on ethical food production and transparent supply-chain standards. Companies with Royal Warrants, including John Lewis, BT, and Jaguar Land Rover, will undoubtedly take note as consumer expectations evolve in the wake of this decision.
