Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 05 June 2019
05 Jun 2019 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Sustainable Aquaculture
Obviously, enforcement plays a part. The higher standards are primarily intended to further drive forward improved practice. Although we have tightened up the reporting and intervention thresholds from three and eight adult female lice per fish to two and six, respectively, the actual performance of most of the companies is far higher. I see that Mr Mountain is shaking his head, but the facts that I have seen indicate that the actual levels of sea lice that are found are much lower.
Enforcement is important and must be dealt with independently by those who are responsible for it. That approach will continue. I am not sure that I accept Mr Mountain’s thesis, but I would say that we take enforcement seriously, and that the steps that I have announced today, which involve an aspect of independent audit of the process, will increase transparency, which I hope everyone supports.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame)
SNP
The first item of business is a statement by Fergus Ewing, on progress in delivering a sustainable aquaculture sector. The cabinet secretary will take questi...
The Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy (Fergus Ewing)
SNP
I am pleased to set out to Parliament the progress that is being made to deliver a sustainable aquaculture sector in Scotland. Last year, the Environment, Cl...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
The cabinet secretary will now take questions on the issues raised in his statement. I intend to allow about 20 minutes for questions.
Peter Chapman (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
I thank the cabinet secretary for the prior sight of his statement. Let me be quite clear: I welcome the statement. The reports on Scottish salmon from the ...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
I very much welcome the approach that Mr Chapman, speaking on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives, is taking. That is very much appreciated and I think that...
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Lab
I thank the cabinet secretary for the prior sight of his statement. Aquaculture is extremely important to the economy of rural Scotland, so it is imperative...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
I appreciate Rhoda Grant’s support for the sector. I do not think that it is fair to charge us with delaying. As I made clear in my statement, changes must b...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I have 10 members and 13 minutes, so I ask members to be neat with their questions to let others get in.
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green)
Green
The cabinet secretary will be aware that there is still a serious concern with large fish farms being granted consent by breaking up into two or more applica...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I want your question please, Mr Ruskell.
Mark Ruskell
Green
Will the cabinet secretary commit to reviewing existing farms that were granted permission under multiple applications, using the new modelling that SEPA has...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
The existing system contains provision for monitoring, as we well know. Today, we are indicating that tighter standards will apply in relation to sea lice. T...
Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (LD)
LD
The cabinet secretary will be aware that the Norwegian industry is trialling a mechanism to filter fish medicines out of the water that is used to treat fish...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
I welcome Mr Scott’s support for the sector, as always. He is a stalwart supporter of the aquaculture sector, and it is extremely important in his constituen...
Gillian Martin
SNP
Salmon is one of our most important food exports. How has the industry performed this year, and what is it doing to improve its environmental sustainability ...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
The industry is performing well. It directly employs more than 2,000 people and contributes around £220 million in gross value added to the economy. The wide...
Edward Mountain (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests. I welcome the general thrust of the proposals, which, I believe, will help fish farms to ...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
Obviously, enforcement plays a part. The higher standards are primarily intended to further drive forward improved practice. Although we have tightened up th...
Gail Ross (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP)
SNP
On the sea lice numbers, will the cabinet secretary outline why a phased approach is being taken and say how the chosen figures were arrived at?
Fergus Ewing
SNP
We believe that a phased approach is the correct approach to drive forward best practice while enabling companies to alter and improve their practice in prac...
Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome the commitment on compulsory public reporting of sea lice data on a farm-by-farm basis, and other measures, as it reflects an amendment that I lodg...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
That question was at the edge of being too long, but never mind.
Fergus Ewing
SNP
Yes, I can confirm that impacts on all forms of the marine system, including marine life, will be considered carefully. I assure Claudia Beamish that all asp...
Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP)
SNP
Will the cabinet secretary confirm that any proposals that are taken forward will not impact adversely on businesses that work closely with the aquaculture i...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
If I may say so, that was an excellent question from Mr Gibson. It illustrates the point that not all the jobs are on our coasts and islands; many of the job...
Jamie Greene (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
The cabinet secretary said: “tougher regulation will ensure that farms are sited in the most appropriate areas. However, one of the committee’s recommenda...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
The appropriate location of sites is a material factor that is taken into account for all applications. That approach will be followed by the various parties...
Dr Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP)
SNP
In light of the cabinet secretary’s welcome announcements today, what steps does he intend to take to promote closer working between SEPA, Crown Estate Scotl...
The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (Roseanna Cunningham)
SNP
That is my job.
Fergus Ewing
SNP
My colleague Roseanna Cunningham has joined me, and has pointed out that she has responsibility in respect of SEPA.