Chamber
Plenary, 20 Dec 2006
20 Dec 2006 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Members have talked about how the process helped us to have a fairly consensual debate at stage 1.
I will focus on parts 1 and 2 of the bill. All speakers in the debate so far have reflected on the significance of aquaculture and particularly salmon to Scotland. The committee agrees with the proposals on inspection for fish farms, but we want visits to be co-ordinated. We note that the minister has agreed to monitor the situation, but we want to ensure that no additional burdens are added to the industry.
There is always a risk of fish escape, but the committee wants the greatest effort to be put into minimising that risk. We want the code of practice to be used and adhered to and we understand that there could be a legislative backstop if the industry does not comply. Although most of the industry will be happy to comply with the code, it will take only one or two rogue operators to let the whole industry down. We do not want that to happen, so high standards are needed. The committee wants details on how rigorous the regime will be and how it will be applied, particularly in cases in which there is cause for concern about the effectiveness of management to avoid escapes. What assurances will there be that the regime will operate effectively? The Executive must ensure that the FRS has the resources that it needs to operate the inspection regime. We welcome the fact that further detail on appeals mechanisms will be provided in January.
I highlight an issue that the minister did not address in her letter to the committee, although she welcomed the new measures on fish farm consents in the Planning etc (Scotland) Bill. The committee agreed unanimously that the long-term retention of sites that remain undeveloped is unacceptable. It would be good for the Parliament if the minister could update us on the progress that she is making in her discussions with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Competition Commission in that regard.
Part 2 of the bill deals with GS. The committee spent a huge amount of time on GS because of the devastation that it would cause if it arrived in Scotland. Many members have said that strong action is required and that we should do everything that we can do to prevent GS from reaching our shores. Most people regard the importation of live fish as the biggest risk. The committee asked the Executive whether it would be possible to institute a total ban on the importation of live fish and I welcome the Executive's clarification that we can ban the importation of live fish from areas in which fish are known to be infected with GS. However, the committee remains concerned about the robustness of monitoring in other countries and the potential for a gap in time between the identification of GS and action to prevent the importation of live fish from the area affected. I am concerned that no discussions on the matter are taking place at European Union level—I hope the minister will change that.
Members were sent a copy of the GS contingency plan a week or so ago. The committee has asked why particular areas would be chosen in which the contingency plan would be put into effect. The plan refers to the River Dee network but does not say why it has been chosen or explain its significance in relation to other river networks in Scotland. Clarification would be helpful.
We must consider what would happen if GS arrived in Scotland. The committee wanted clarification on compensation, which members mentioned. The fundamental issue is the use of powerful chemicals such as rotenone and the damage that they could cause to our rivers and lochs. We must consider the impact not just on Scotland's image but on wildlife, which would continue for a significant period after the use of the products. Members have talked about the importance of raising awareness and it is crucial that we do everything that we can do to raise awareness of the issue among the people who use our rivers for angling and other leisure and recreational purposes. I welcome the minister's commitment to seek a meeting with the European Commission to ensure that approvals for payment schemes are in place.
Everything in the bill underlines how important it is that we try to stop GS reaching Scotland. That has to be our top priority, although compensation issues must also be resolved.
There is strong support for the general principles of the bill and I look forward to addressing the remaining concerns in detail at stage 2.
I will focus on parts 1 and 2 of the bill. All speakers in the debate so far have reflected on the significance of aquaculture and particularly salmon to Scotland. The committee agrees with the proposals on inspection for fish farms, but we want visits to be co-ordinated. We note that the minister has agreed to monitor the situation, but we want to ensure that no additional burdens are added to the industry.
There is always a risk of fish escape, but the committee wants the greatest effort to be put into minimising that risk. We want the code of practice to be used and adhered to and we understand that there could be a legislative backstop if the industry does not comply. Although most of the industry will be happy to comply with the code, it will take only one or two rogue operators to let the whole industry down. We do not want that to happen, so high standards are needed. The committee wants details on how rigorous the regime will be and how it will be applied, particularly in cases in which there is cause for concern about the effectiveness of management to avoid escapes. What assurances will there be that the regime will operate effectively? The Executive must ensure that the FRS has the resources that it needs to operate the inspection regime. We welcome the fact that further detail on appeals mechanisms will be provided in January.
I highlight an issue that the minister did not address in her letter to the committee, although she welcomed the new measures on fish farm consents in the Planning etc (Scotland) Bill. The committee agreed unanimously that the long-term retention of sites that remain undeveloped is unacceptable. It would be good for the Parliament if the minister could update us on the progress that she is making in her discussions with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Competition Commission in that regard.
Part 2 of the bill deals with GS. The committee spent a huge amount of time on GS because of the devastation that it would cause if it arrived in Scotland. Many members have said that strong action is required and that we should do everything that we can do to prevent GS from reaching our shores. Most people regard the importation of live fish as the biggest risk. The committee asked the Executive whether it would be possible to institute a total ban on the importation of live fish and I welcome the Executive's clarification that we can ban the importation of live fish from areas in which fish are known to be infected with GS. However, the committee remains concerned about the robustness of monitoring in other countries and the potential for a gap in time between the identification of GS and action to prevent the importation of live fish from the area affected. I am concerned that no discussions on the matter are taking place at European Union level—I hope the minister will change that.
Members were sent a copy of the GS contingency plan a week or so ago. The committee has asked why particular areas would be chosen in which the contingency plan would be put into effect. The plan refers to the River Dee network but does not say why it has been chosen or explain its significance in relation to other river networks in Scotland. Clarification would be helpful.
We must consider what would happen if GS arrived in Scotland. The committee wanted clarification on compensation, which members mentioned. The fundamental issue is the use of powerful chemicals such as rotenone and the damage that they could cause to our rivers and lochs. We must consider the impact not just on Scotland's image but on wildlife, which would continue for a significant period after the use of the products. Members have talked about the importance of raising awareness and it is crucial that we do everything that we can do to raise awareness of the issue among the people who use our rivers for angling and other leisure and recreational purposes. I welcome the minister's commitment to seek a meeting with the European Commission to ensure that approvals for payment schemes are in place.
Everything in the bill underlines how important it is that we try to stop GS reaching Scotland. That has to be our top priority, although compensation issues must also be resolved.
There is strong support for the general principles of the bill and I look forward to addressing the remaining concerns in detail at stage 2.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman):
Lab
The next item of business is a debate on motion S2M-5224, in the name of Ross Finnie, that the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Aquaculture...
The Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development (Rhona Brankin):
Lab
I thank all those who were involved in the preparation and scrutiny of the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill. In particular, I record my gratitude to...
Richard Lochhead (Moray) (SNP):
SNP
I, too, welcome the committee's report and the debate, in which I speak both as the spokesperson for the Scottish National Party and as a member of the Envir...
Mr Ted Brocklebank (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
Conservative members, too, welcome the debate and the committee's report. Although this week much attention has rightly been focused on Brussels, where minis...
Nora Radcliffe (Gordon) (LD):
LD
It is fair to say that the bill was introduced after a lot of good work had already been done to bring together the different interests of fish farming, shel...
Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab):
Lab
I speak on behalf of the Environment and Rural Development Committee, so I thank the committee clerks for all their work in helping to arrange our scrutiny o...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
I remind members that mobile phones should be switched off.
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
Members have talked about how the process helped us to have a fairly consensual debate at stage 1.I will focus on parts 1 and 2 of the bill. All speakers in ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
I say again to members that someone still has their phone on. Please put it off.
Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP):
SNP
I have checked that my phones are off.I have constituents who are closely tied to the success of our distant water fishing fleet, but I also have many consti...
Mr Brocklebank:
Con
How big?
Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD):
LD
This big?
Stewart Stevenson:
SNP
Yes, I thought they were waiting for that, and very enjoyable it was too. As I was saying, I also worked for the Tay Salmon Fisheries Board.The world has cha...
Eleanor Scott (Highlands and Islands) (Green):
Green
Although the bill has some interesting content, it has not been hugely controversial, with the exception of a few sections that previous speakers have mentio...
Maureen Macmillan (Highlands and Islands) (Lab):
Lab
It gives me great satisfaction to speak in support of the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill, which is the culmination of years of hard work by all th...
Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West) (Ind):
Ind
Thirty years ago, I voted in the House of Commons against the Freshwater and Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act 1976, which introduced protection orders. The Go...
Mr Alasdair Morrison (Western Isles) (Lab):
Lab
I welcome the opportunity to take part in this stage 1 debate on the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill. During their contributions, Sarah Boyack, Mau...
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Mr Morrison:
Lab
I do not have enough time. It is amazing that when one mentions dreary, Mr Lochhead gets on his feet.The Prime Minister is and was interested in fish farming...
John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD):
LD
We have had a wide-ranging debate, and I am sure that there is consensus all round about what should happen to the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill....
Mr Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
This has been a good debate about a bill that I hope will prove to be a good piece of legislation. As my colleague Ted Brocklebank said, the Scottish Conserv...
Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP):
SNP
This has been an interesting debate—reasoned for the most part—in which there has been a strong degree of consensus.It is interesting to note the background ...
Rhona Brankin:
Lab
I thank the members who have spoken in today's debate. The vast majority have been thoughtful and constructive and have brought a degree of consensus to our ...
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
I take the minister back to stopping GS coming into the country in the first place. She has not addressed the widespread concern that the Scottish National P...
Rhona Brankin:
Lab
The member will be aware that the importation of live fish is regulated at European Union level, so no scope exists to do anything unilaterally. However, cur...
Dennis Canavan:
Ind
Will the minister take an intervention?
Rhona Brankin:
Lab
My time is restricted.
The Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid):
NPA
I am sorry, but the minister is in her final minute.
Rhona Brankin:
Lab
Alasdair Morrison and other members mentioned minimum import prices. It is hugely important that we have a floor price that is aimed at promoting market stab...