MSP concerned over Label Rouge Salmon

The motion – which is used to initiate debate in Parliament or propose a course of action - was raised at the Holyrood Parliament in Edinburgh by the Scottish Green Party’s Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Mark Ruskell on Friday.

It states: “That the Parliament recognises the concerns that it understands have been raised by the Global Alliance Against Industrial Aquaculture regarding the environmental and animal welfare standards of Label Rouge Scottish salmon; notes that around 8,000 tonnes of Label Rouge Scottish salmon is produced each year, primarily for the French market but also for sale in Germany, Switzerland and the Far East; believes that, despite claims that Label Rouge Scottish salmon is produced to 'very stringent standards', details of these standards and regulations are not publicly available; understands that a 2011 report by the University of Victoria gave Label Rouge a 'red' rating for its environmental impacts, including use of antibiotics, sustainability of feed, pathogens and parasiticides, and calls on Label Rouge to publish its environmental and animal welfare standards ahead of its celebration reception and dinner at Edinburgh Castle on 16 March 2017.”

Label Rouge is a prestigious quality mark granted by the French Ministry of Agriculture to products demonstrating superior quality and taste. Scottish salmon was the first fish and the first non-French food to receive this accolade in 1992.

Ruskell’s motion was supported by fellow Scottish Green Party MSPs John Finnie, Patrick Harvie, Ross Greer and Andy Wightman.