Scottish ministers accused of being 'in bed' with the fish farming industry

Protect Wild Scotland claims salmon farming applications are being rubber-stamped across Scotland to meet plans by Scottish Ministers to expand production by 50% by 2020.

Fgures obtained by Protect Wild Scotland, an anti fish farming group ran by Don Staniford, via Freedom of Information (FOI) was also said to show that the Scottish Government has met over 30 times with lobbyists for the 66% Norwegian-owned ‘Scottish’ salmon farming industry since 2011.

However, according to the Glasgow Herald SEPA said applications for fish farms were rarely refused because its authorisation process was "clear and understandable" and those that would be rejected were withdrawn or amended after ­consultation with officials.