Salmon farming industry dissapointed with ISA aid

Responding to the announcement of a package of financial support for small and medium-sized fish farming companies following the identification of the presence of the ISA virus in south west Shetland in the first quarter of 2009, Scott Landsburgh, chief executive of SSPO, said it is very disappointing that the majority of salmon farming companies in south west Shetland are excluded from the financial support package offered by the Scottish Government.   "Many of the companies that have complied with the compulsory slaughter of fish will not receive any financial support from the proposed scheme.   "As salmon farming is a vital part of the Shetland economy, it is likely that this decision will have a significant economic impact on local people employed in the industry and supplier businesses to the sector on the islands and throughout Scotland.   "I will be seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister to discuss this matter, in particular, the newly-created provisions within the Aquaculture and Fisheries Act 2007 which gives Ministers the power to develop a discretionary compensation scheme for compulsory slaughter," he added.