Need to know the government believe in the industry
The recently published Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill Consultation has been greeted with dismay by Scotland’s salmon farming industry.
“Salmon farmers have been working collaboratively and voluntarily for years to improve the industry. Our concern is that, while well-intentioned, the proposed legislation is fundamentally unnecessary and aimed at problems that do not exist. Salmon farming is already one of Scotland’s most tightly regulated industries and we take measures day in, day out to ensure the highest possible levels of environmental sustainability throughout our production cycle,” says Stewart McLelland, CEO of The Scottish Salmon Company.
“The fundamental risk is that this bill will hold back the industry just at the point when it is cementing its position as one of Scotland’s biggest success stories. The workers that we are proud to employ the length and breadth of Scotland – including those in its most remote rural communities - need to know that the government believes in their industry and that it will not be hampered by unnecessary red tape,” McLelland points out
Steve Bracken, Business Support Manager, Marine Harvest (Scotland) Ltd, also says the company is concerned:
“We are not against regulation providing it’s sensible, workable and affordable but so far, from what we’ve seen, we remain concerned.”
The industry is now hoping for constructive dialogue with Government and stakeholders to avoid this unnecessary over-regulation creating such a hostile business environment that the skills, innovation, people and success bred in Scotland could be lost.
