Members of the Scottish parliament’s Rural Affairs and Islands Committee have visited Scottish Sea Farms as part of the ongoing inquiry into Scotland’s salmon farming sector.
Six MSPs, including Convener Finlay Carson and Deputy Convener Beatrice Wishart, toured the company’s Barcaldine freshwater hatchery and Dunstaffnage salmon farm.
During the events MSPs met employees and sector representatives, including from Salmon Scotland, ahead of an evidence session on 2 October.
Delegates also toured the Scottish Association for Marine Science at the Scottish Marine Institute as well as attending a community event in Oban.
“The MSPs were able to talk to the people who are on the frontline of farming every day, observe the care and passion that goes into their work, and discover what salmon farming means to them and their families,” said Scottish Sea Farms head of sustainability and development, Anne Anderson.
“No questions were off-limits and hopefully we were able to address some of the misconceptions about the sector and build on the politicians’ understanding of a way of life that brings immense benefits to rural communities.”
The committee’s inquiry is reviewing the implementation of recommendations from a 2018 report by the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee.
Scottish Sea Farms head of veterinary services Ronnie Soutar said that the industry was still facing the same issues. “Our sincere hope is that the insights provided will, in turn, help the committee to help us through their findings,” he said. “We are hoping to see positive change from the inquiry, particularly regarding regulation.”
Following next week’s salmon sector hearing, the committee will take evidence from Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs on 9 October with findings expected to be published thereafter.
