Scottish Sea Farms scoop a double
The awards - one of which was picked up by Richard Darbyshire on behalf of SSF's Eday site and the other by Colin Macdonald, a young site manager from Mull - celebrate the sustainable practices of farmers who supply the UK supermarket chain.
The awards were announced at this year’s Royal Highland Show and the SSF sites were singled out for praise by the judging panel, for their committments to " the four E's": Ethics, Environment, Efficiency and Education.
Richard Darbyshire, SSF's Regional Production Manager in Orkney, said: “We are delighted to have won this award. As a retailer, M&S is known for its high standards and we were able to demonstrate our commitment in the areas of sustainability, ethics and education in the Orkney area.
“We have employed five Eday residents that had no fish farming experience and trained them to a standard that has enabled the farm to be the best performing Scottish Sea Farms site in 2013. These well paid and technical jobs are highly valued on a remote island, where the total population numbers only 150. The new site has stimulated the local economy and we are now about to expand in the area.
“The quality of salmon we can produce in Orkney is exceptional and we overcame technically challenging environmental conditions to site the farm at Eday.”
Colin Macdonald, Site Manager at Scallastle on Mull, is only 20 years of age and has achieved great success within the company at an early age. Colin was only 17 when he joined the company and has risen rapidly through the ranks. “It is amazing to gain such national recognition and to have won when competing against the very best farmers in the country. We are all really proud to farm such a quality product for a retailer like M&S,” he reflects.
