New regulation would hit salmon farming industry, says Scott

New laws regulating the salmon farming industry are being introduced without any clear reason, claims MSP Tavish Scott.

Speaking ahead of a parliamentary debate on Thursday Mr Scott said the proposed bill would introduce more costs and the industry, which employs hundreds across Shetland on sea farms, processing and support businesses, would pick up the cost.

He said, if enacted, it would be the third law regulating salmon farming in 12 years.

“Numerous government quangos already police the salmon farming industry. Now the Scottish government wants more regulation and plans to impose new costs on the industry,” he said. 
“Typically the government give no detail on these extra costs yet but the industry estimates that it could hit the industry by £20 million a year.

“The government is also planning to impose new legal sanctions on sea farms in the form of fixed penalty notices. Powers already exist to prosecute illegal actions through the Procurator Fiscal and based on SEPA investigations. Why then does this Government want yet another legal route?

“If the Government have no faith in SEPA they should address that issue rather than introduce new legal sanctions.

“Fish farming is an important industry for Shetland and we need a government that support its future; not one that piles on extra costs.”

NO COMMENTS

Add Your Comment

Add Your Comment

Please note, it is the policy of The Shetland Times to publish comments and letters from named individuals only. Both forename and surname are required.

Comments are moderated. Contributors must observe normal standards of decency and tolerance for the opinions of others.

The views expressed are those of contributors and not of The Shetland Times.

The Shetland Times reserves the right to decline or remove any contribution without notice or stating reason.

Comments are limited to 200 words but please email longer articles or letters to editorial@shetlandtimes.co.uk for consideration and include a daytime telephone number and your address. If emailing information in confidence please put "Not for publication" in both the subject line and at the top of the main message.

200 words left

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

logo

Get Latest News in Your Inbox

Join the The Shetland Times mailing list to get one daily email update at midday on what's happening in Shetland.