State agencies in talks to resolve dispute over Galway Bay fish farm

The two State agencies have been at odds over the project for the15,000-tonne organic salmon farm, which BIM is seeking licensing approval for from Minister for the Marine Simon Coveney.

Both agencies have differed over scientific interpretations of the possible impact on wild salmon stocks and were supposed to debatedthe issue at the recent Galway Food Festival , the newspaper reported.

However, the food fair organisers were informed at a late stage that neither agency was sending a representative.

BIM told The Irish Times it did not feel it would be appropriate to debate in a public forum when negotiations were in train, while IFI was not available for comment.