Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 15 May 2013
15 May 2013 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill
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 bill from the start.
Given the constraints of time, I will skip my preamble and go direct to the issue of carcass tagging. I am pleased to acknowledge the minister’s commitment to consult fully on that issue. I also note the minister’s recent explanation to the committee that had the amendment that sought to include the requirement for carcass tags to be individually numbered been successful,
“it would have restricted our ability to progress regulations which adequately reflect the differing views from ... stakeholders, both in terms of application and potential impact on business.”
The minister also said at stage 2 that any specific requirement would be subject to the EU technical standards directive, which would mean that the European Commission would have to be notified if the measure created a “technical barrier to trade”, which would result in a stand-still period of 18 months before it could come into effect. That would impact on the whole bill. I note the failure of Alex Fergusson to have been convinced by the EU technical standards directive argument, although he withdrew amendment 4 in group 6. I ask the minister to detail when the consultation of stakeholders on carcass tagging will be complete. I had hoped that there would be a clear and unambiguous statement from the minister today that any subsequent system will use individually numbered tags and that the system will be in place for the start of the 2014 season. I note the minister’s commitment that that would be an option, but the committee sought further assurances in that respect.
The committee spent considerable time on public reporting of sea lice data and noted the minister’s confirmation during stage 2 of the SSPO’s plans to increase the voluntary public reporting of sea lice data from six to 30 areas and his comment that the SSPO’s voluntary proposal was
“a significant development and an appropriate balance between public reassurance and commercial interests at this time.”
In addition, the SSPO confirmed that it would give Marine Scotland access to sea lice data at farm management area level. I recognise that a number of stakeholders—including the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards, which would have preferred publication of all sea lice data on a farm-by-farm basis—were considerably disappointed by that, but I am encouraged by the minister’s commitment this afternoon to review the success or otherwise of the voluntary arrangement during the current parliamentary session.
With that in mind, I welcome the formation of the ministerial group—
Given the constraints of time, I will skip my preamble and go direct to the issue of carcass tagging. I am pleased to acknowledge the minister’s commitment to consult fully on that issue. I also note the minister’s recent explanation to the committee that had the amendment that sought to include the requirement for carcass tags to be individually numbered been successful,
“it would have restricted our ability to progress regulations which adequately reflect the differing views from ... stakeholders, both in terms of application and potential impact on business.”
The minister also said at stage 2 that any specific requirement would be subject to the EU technical standards directive, which would mean that the European Commission would have to be notified if the measure created a “technical barrier to trade”, which would result in a stand-still period of 18 months before it could come into effect. That would impact on the whole bill. I note the failure of Alex Fergusson to have been convinced by the EU technical standards directive argument, although he withdrew amendment 4 in group 6. I ask the minister to detail when the consultation of stakeholders on carcass tagging will be complete. I had hoped that there would be a clear and unambiguous statement from the minister today that any subsequent system will use individually numbered tags and that the system will be in place for the start of the 2014 season. I note the minister’s commitment that that would be an option, but the committee sought further assurances in that respect.
The committee spent considerable time on public reporting of sea lice data and noted the minister’s confirmation during stage 2 of the SSPO’s plans to increase the voluntary public reporting of sea lice data from six to 30 areas and his comment that the SSPO’s voluntary proposal was
“a significant development and an appropriate balance between public reassurance and commercial interests at this time.”
In addition, the SSPO confirmed that it would give Marine Scotland access to sea lice data at farm management area level. I recognise that a number of stakeholders—including the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards, which would have preferred publication of all sea lice data on a farm-by-farm basis—were considerably disappointed by that, but I am encouraged by the minister’s commitment this afternoon to review the success or otherwise of the voluntary arrangement during the current parliamentary session.
With that in mind, I welcome the formation of the ministerial group—
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.