New aquaculture bill could cost Scottish salmon farmers £20 million per year

If implemented, this proposed legislation would have far-reaching negative consequences, according to the Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation..

The bill would have an estimated financial impact on the industry of around £20million per year which would reduce competitiveness. There would be duplication by Government officials of work already undertaken by farmers and vets. Workers would be under the threat of fixed penalty notices of up to £10,000 issued to them personally. It would also create significant uncertainty over future investment in Scotland and would do critical damage to the ‘Scottish Farmed Salmon’ premium brand. Moreover, it would mean the loss of highly trained staff.

The future opportunity lost to Scotland could be staggering, at least £200M at farm gate value. This would lead to a huge erosion of potential income spend in the Highlands and Islands and also severely impact the economic added value from salmon processing across Scotland. Fresh salmon exports alone contribute £400M to the Scottish economy and the industry is a lifeline to many of Scotland's most fragile, rural communities and economies.

“We hope 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,” SSPO said in a response to the recently published bill.