Chamber
Plenary, 20 Dec 2006
20 Dec 2006 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
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 Conservatives will support the bill at stage 1, although we have a small number of concerns about what its implementation may mean in practice. I will reiterate a few of those concerns.
An important issue that is dealt with in the bill is the control of Gyrodactylus salaris, the parasite that has devastated salmon stocks in Norway. The impact of the parasite in Scottish waters would be awful, and it is right that the Scottish ministers should have the powers that are needed to deal with such an outbreak. However, I cannot help but worry that the available treatments may prove even more damaging than the parasite itself. For example, the chemical rotenone would completely destroy the ecosystem of some of our rivers, not to mention the impact that it would have on the whisky industry, agriculture, recreational angling and tourism.
As Ted Brocklebank said, the point is surely that we must do everything in our power to ensure that the GS parasite does not come to Scotland. I simply do not accept the view of the Executive's GS task force that comprehensive screening of people who arrive in Scotland from GS-infected countries with fishing gear, canoes and the like is a step too far. I say that because the appearance of GS and the use of associated treatments in Scotland would be nothing short of a national disaster, and we simply cannot afford to compromise on prevention.
I will touch on the sections of the bill that relate to recreational angling. I have spoken before about the importance of angling to the Scottish economy, particularly the rural economy, and I believe that the Executive and VisitScotland should redouble their already commendable efforts to promote Scotland as a first-rate angling destination. Although I generally welcome the provisions in part 3 of the bill, I would like reassurances from the minister that the measures relating to close seasons for species other than trout will be used wisely. Will she consider establishing a close season for rainbow trout—which does not exist at present—to protect wild brown trout from being caught out of season? There could, of course, be a derogation for put-and-take rainbow trout ponds. Will close seasons for coarse fish be created in line with English coarse fish seasons? The suggestion of increasing the rod limit to four rods for pike fishing must have strict conditions—such as bite indicators, wire traces and large baits—attached to it to ensure that the increase does not impact on trout fisheries where both species are present.
It would be a tragedy if the bill's powers were in any way to damage Scotland's reputation with anglers, which I am sure is not the Executive's intention. Anglers will be interested in part 1 of the bill and will no doubt be disappointed that the strict liability offence in relation to escapees from fish farms has been dropped. It would be good if the bill could ease the tension that has existed between salmon farmers and wild sea trout and salmon anglers for the past 20 years. That is far too long to have an argument. Both industries are vital to Scotland's rural economy and, given the length of Scotland's west coast, there is no reason why they cannot co-exist in reasonable harmony. Good practice measures have helped, but the loss of many west coast sea trout stocks over the past 20 years is a tragedy that should be righted.
The west coast fishery trusts employ scientists who do great work, but the problems of wild sea trout and salmon are complex and the scientists require further funding to do additional research, especially at sea. Although present funding for the trusts is welcome, it is inadequate to do that work properly. Sea trout fishing was a famous Scottish sport, especially in areas such as Loch Maree, and we ought to do something to get it back. Considering what the sea fishing industry has had to sacrifice to preserve cod, we should do something to bring sea trout back to Scotland.
More needs to be done to ensure that fewer farmed fish escape and to trace where escapees come from. There is no point in legislating on that if we cannot police the legislation because we do not know where the fish have come from. In this day and age, traceability of food and livestock is vital, so surely it is vital that farmed fish be traceable as well.
An important issue that is dealt with in the bill is the control of Gyrodactylus salaris, the parasite that has devastated salmon stocks in Norway. The impact of the parasite in Scottish waters would be awful, and it is right that the Scottish ministers should have the powers that are needed to deal with such an outbreak. However, I cannot help but worry that the available treatments may prove even more damaging than the parasite itself. For example, the chemical rotenone would completely destroy the ecosystem of some of our rivers, not to mention the impact that it would have on the whisky industry, agriculture, recreational angling and tourism.
As Ted Brocklebank said, the point is surely that we must do everything in our power to ensure that the GS parasite does not come to Scotland. I simply do not accept the view of the Executive's GS task force that comprehensive screening of people who arrive in Scotland from GS-infected countries with fishing gear, canoes and the like is a step too far. I say that because the appearance of GS and the use of associated treatments in Scotland would be nothing short of a national disaster, and we simply cannot afford to compromise on prevention.
I will touch on the sections of the bill that relate to recreational angling. I have spoken before about the importance of angling to the Scottish economy, particularly the rural economy, and I believe that the Executive and VisitScotland should redouble their already commendable efforts to promote Scotland as a first-rate angling destination. Although I generally welcome the provisions in part 3 of the bill, I would like reassurances from the minister that the measures relating to close seasons for species other than trout will be used wisely. Will she consider establishing a close season for rainbow trout—which does not exist at present—to protect wild brown trout from being caught out of season? There could, of course, be a derogation for put-and-take rainbow trout ponds. Will close seasons for coarse fish be created in line with English coarse fish seasons? The suggestion of increasing the rod limit to four rods for pike fishing must have strict conditions—such as bite indicators, wire traces and large baits—attached to it to ensure that the increase does not impact on trout fisheries where both species are present.
It would be a tragedy if the bill's powers were in any way to damage Scotland's reputation with anglers, which I am sure is not the Executive's intention. Anglers will be interested in part 1 of the bill and will no doubt be disappointed that the strict liability offence in relation to escapees from fish farms has been dropped. It would be good if the bill could ease the tension that has existed between salmon farmers and wild sea trout and salmon anglers for the past 20 years. That is far too long to have an argument. Both industries are vital to Scotland's rural economy and, given the length of Scotland's west coast, there is no reason why they cannot co-exist in reasonable harmony. Good practice measures have helped, but the loss of many west coast sea trout stocks over the past 20 years is a tragedy that should be righted.
The west coast fishery trusts employ scientists who do great work, but the problems of wild sea trout and salmon are complex and the scientists require further funding to do additional research, especially at sea. Although present funding for the trusts is welcome, it is inadequate to do that work properly. Sea trout fishing was a famous Scottish sport, especially in areas such as Loch Maree, and we ought to do something to get it back. Considering what the sea fishing industry has had to sacrifice to preserve cod, we should do something to bring sea trout back to Scotland.
More needs to be done to ensure that fewer farmed fish escape and to trace where escapees come from. There is no point in legislating on that if we cannot police the legislation because we do not know where the fish have come from. In this day and age, traceability of food and livestock is vital, so surely it is vital that farmed fish be traceable as well.
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...