Holyrood committee 'has ignored Scottish salmon farming's turnaround'
Trade body alleges many flaws in report that will be debated in parliament today
Scottish salmon farmers are calling for a balanced approach to their sector from MSPs instead of “disproportionate enforcement and ever more regulation” proposed by the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs and Islands Committee (RAIC).
The parliament will this afternoon debate a report and recommendations by RAIC, issued in January following an inquiry into salmon farming last year. RAIC convener Finlay Carson will request that the Parliament notes the conclusions and recommendations contained in the RAIC report.
Trade body Salmon Scotland writes in an article on its website that it welcomed the RAIC inquiry as an opportunity to bring forward fresh thinking with streamlined recommendations that support the sustainable development of the sector but adds: “We are unconvinced that 41 new recommendations adding regulation, bureaucracy, cost and complexity help towards that goal.”
Salmon Scotland points out the recent decision of Skye salmon farmer Organic Sea Harvest to cease trading. The company has tried for several years to get planning permission for two extra sites it said were necessary for viability.
“The only recent new-start salmon production business has been stopped by bureaucracy, red tape and the regulatory burden,” writes Salmon Scotland. “Twenty jobs will be lost, with further significant impacts on the supply chain. Decisions by policy makers and Government quangos have consequences for people, their jobs, and local communities around Scotland.”
A free ride for opponents
Salmon Scotland adds that the sector “is disappointed that anti-salmon farming campaign groups – Wildfish, Coastal Communities Network and Animal Equality UK – whose organisational objective is to close down the sector and put thousands of people out of work, were not questioned by the Committee on their motives”.
It says the groups’ evidence needs to be recognised in that context.
RAIC’s report also failed to adequately consider the significant economic contribution salmon farming makes to Scotland in the most remote and economically fragile locations, says the trade body.
And it argues that RAIC’s recommendations for stronger regulatory powers including for the Fish Health Inspectorate, would create an unpredictable operating environment. “Salmon production companies require robust, high quality and evidence-based regulations that support long-term investment.”
Unjustified over-precaution
RAIC placed undue focus on a precautionary approach, says Salmon Scotland, which points out that overuse and misuse of the precautionary principle was raised in the Griggs Review of aquaculture consenting in 2022. “Professor [Russel] Griggs recommended Adaptive Management in place of inherent, and unjustified, over-precaution. It is disappointing that the Committee did not highlight the Griggs recommendations for aquaculture regulatory reform.”
The RAIC report cites the high mortality rates in salmon farming as a critical concern but fails to adequately reflect the £1 billion investment since 2018 to improve fish health through technology, research and innovation, says Salmon Scotland.
“In the [salmon] sector’s evidence (to the RAIC inquiry on October 2) we demonstrated this significant improvement in fish survival, as well as record low levels of sea lice. Recently published government statistics re-iterate this position. The Report did not cite this evidence provided by the sector and Scottish Government regulators,” the trade body says.
The Report demonstrates a lack of understanding of fish mortalities, how they are managed, levels of transparency by salmon farmers and the regulatory oversight of the sector.
Salmon Scotland critique of RAIC report
“The Report demonstrates a lack of understanding of fish mortalities, how they are managed, levels of transparency by salmon farmers and the regulatory oversight of the sector. The Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) already have strong powers on fish mortality, including powers to close farms if they have significant concerns. There was no evidence presented to the Committee to suggest FHI are not exercising their powers effectively.”
Salmon Scotland points out that the RAIC Report only briefly mentions climate challenges such as rising sea temperatures and jellyfish blooms. “These have severely impacted salmon populations. Climate change affects all farming systems, livestock and arable,” says the salmon farmers’ body.
Innovation, not regulation
“Rather than further regulation, we look to government-sector innovative collaboration to develop solutions, such as advanced monitoring systems, offshore farming opportunities through site consolidation and supporting a replacement Research and Innovation funding model, following the withdrawal of funding for the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC). Many of these reforms were proposed by the Griggs Report (February 2022).”
Salmon Scotland also says that the RAIC Report does not recognise the important role that medicines take in all forms of livestock production, pet ownership and for human health care, and that significant regulations controlling how medicines are licensed and used exist.
“These controls are specifically designed to ensure the environment is not unduly impacted, with high margins of safety included. Claims by anti-salmon farming campaign groups of significant environmental impact are unsubstantiated by data and evidence.”
Provide certainty
Salmon Scotland concludes that the salmon sector has evolved, developed, and improved throughout its history. “We accept the challenge of consistent improvement and highlight the £1 billion investment in fish health and welfare since 2018, and the latest sector performance on mortality and sea lice levels.
“Rather than disproportionate enforcement and ever more regulation, public policy should focus on fostering innovation, supporting investment, and creating a robust regulatory framework that provides certainty and stability for Scotland’s world-leading salmon sector.”
