Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 15 May 2013
15 May 2013 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill
To claim that the bill’s progress through its committee stages was without controversy would be pushing it, to say the least. I believe that it marks the first time that the phrase “tit for tat” has been used in a committee report and, if I remember correctly, I also think that it was the first time I have heard anyone accuse a Conservative member of wishing to nationalise an industry.
Today we expressed concern about late amendments from the Government, which the committee did not have enough time to scrutinise. It is essential that all proposed legislation is properly scrutinised—legislating in haste often results in repenting at leisure. We did not vote against the Government’s amendments. However, we abstained, because we could not be confident that the lack of proper scrutiny would not have unintended consequences. However, all those abstentions have helped all our voting records.
I was concerned about the amendments in Alex Fergusson’s name on the numbered tagging of fish. I have been wary of such methods in some aspects of agriculture. Such an approach might constitute overregulation and be difficult to implement, so I am glad that Alex Fergusson did not press his amendments and that the minister promised to look into the issue.
The importance to Scotland’s economy of wild fishing, as well as fish farming, was made clear during the bill process. Wild fishing is important in my region. I understand that fees are up to £30,000 a week for five rods at the junction pool in Kelso. The Government wants fish farming to increase, to contribute to its economic growth agenda, but it is right that we protect what we have.
I share the ambition for growth in the fish farm industry. Scottish smoked salmon achieves a premium in the marketplace, and deservedly so.
At stage 2 I lodged amendments, the principle of which was accepted by the minister. We worked on the matter, and I am glad that members accepted that there needs to be regulation in training. It is obvious that training needs to be part of the developing technical standard, as the Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum acknowledged. The improved containment working group has shown that about 29.5 per cent of fish escapes are due to human error.
I do not have time to go into detail on record keeping in relation to sea lice, or on the potential of triploids—
Today we expressed concern about late amendments from the Government, which the committee did not have enough time to scrutinise. It is essential that all proposed legislation is properly scrutinised—legislating in haste often results in repenting at leisure. We did not vote against the Government’s amendments. However, we abstained, because we could not be confident that the lack of proper scrutiny would not have unintended consequences. However, all those abstentions have helped all our voting records.
I was concerned about the amendments in Alex Fergusson’s name on the numbered tagging of fish. I have been wary of such methods in some aspects of agriculture. Such an approach might constitute overregulation and be difficult to implement, so I am glad that Alex Fergusson did not press his amendments and that the minister promised to look into the issue.
The importance to Scotland’s economy of wild fishing, as well as fish farming, was made clear during the bill process. Wild fishing is important in my region. I understand that fees are up to £30,000 a week for five rods at the junction pool in Kelso. The Government wants fish farming to increase, to contribute to its economic growth agenda, but it is right that we protect what we have.
I share the ambition for growth in the fish farm industry. Scottish smoked salmon achieves a premium in the marketplace, and deservedly so.
At stage 2 I lodged amendments, the principle of which was accepted by the minister. We worked on the matter, and I am glad that members accepted that there needs to be regulation in training. It is obvious that training needs to be part of the developing technical standard, as the Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum acknowledged. The improved containment working group has shown that about 29.5 per cent of fish escapes are due to human error.
I do not have time to go into detail on record keeping in relation to sea lice, or on the potential of triploids—
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-06544, in the name of Paul Wheelhouse, on the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill. Before I invite ...
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment (Richard Lochhead)
SNP
I had thought that more members would have hung about for the highlights.For the purposes of rule 9.11 of the standing orders, I advise Parliament that Her M...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I advise members that we are quite tight for time. I call Paul Wheelhouse to speak to and move the motion. Minister, you have nine minutes.16:34
The Minister for Environment and Climate Change (Paul Wheelhouse)
SNP
I am pleased to open this stage 3 debate on the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill. At the outset, my thanks go to the Rural Affairs, Climate Change a...
Alex Fergusson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
Surely not.
Paul Wheelhouse
SNP
That is very kind of you, Mr Fergusson.I am sure that every member in the chamber will agree that Scotland is fortunate in having a thriving aquaculture indu...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I need you to bring your remarks to a close.
Paul Wheelhouse
SNP
I apologise, Presiding Officer.Effective monitoring and enforcement of marine and fishing laws is vital if we are to protect Scotland’s valuable marine areas...
Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Scottish Labour recognises the significance and importance of the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill, and of regulation and the wild fisheries review,...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I must ask you to bring your remarks to a close.
Claudia Beamish
Lab
I will do so, Presiding Officer. The building of good relationships is perhaps more important than anything else, and it is an absolute imperative for the fu...
Alex Fergusson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
The passage of the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill has been a long and arduous process, and I begin my speech at stage 3 in the same way that I beg...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We now move to a very short open debate. I am afraid that, in order to be able to call all members, I cannot give you any more than three minutes. If you cou...
Angus MacDonald (Falkirk East) (SNP)
SNP
As a relatively new member of the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee, I am pleased to have been able to take part in scrutiny of the bil...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
You must bring your remarks to a close, please.
Angus MacDonald
SNP
Thank you, Presiding Officer.We should never lose sight of the fact that whether we are talking about farmed or wild salmon, this is a good news story for Sc...
Elaine Murray (Dumfriesshire) (Lab)
Lab
I have not been involved in the bill’s passage but, although I recognise the concerns that members have expressed, I want to use the very short time that I h...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
You must bring your remarks to a close, please.
Elaine Murray
Lab
Moreover, police now have powers of access to private land and can enforce that right in order to investigate the reports of possible illegal activity that I...
Jim Hume (South Scotland) (LD)
LD
To claim that the bill’s progress through its committee stages was without controversy would be pushing it, to say the least. I believe that it marks the fir...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
No, you do not. You need to bring your remarks to a close as quickly as possible.
Jim Hume
LD
I am glad that we have produced a bill that provides for training requirements on equipment. In anticipation of the bill’s being passed at decision time, I c...
Rob Gibson (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP)
SNP
I am the convener of the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee, which has had long oversight of the bill and welcomes its progress.I was pl...
Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, in relation to fisheries.There is widespread recognition of the importance of aquaculture ...
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
The bill has been an attempt to address some of the issues surrounding wild fisheries and the aquaculture sector. Although the debate is an opportunity to re...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Paul Wheelhouse to wind up the debate. You have five minutes, minister.17:11
Paul Wheelhouse
SNP
I will try my best, Presiding Officer.I thank all members for their contributions to today’s debate. One thing that I did not mention earlier but which I wou...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I thank all members for their co-operation in what was a very short space of time.