Fish farm planning application views

Following recent comments in the local press, I would like to provide an update about MOWI’s application for a new salmon farm in Kilbrannan Sound.

At the time of writing, there are 84 letters of objection and 20 of support. Of those 20, six are employees of MOWI and a further seven are employees of companies who directly benefit from contracts with MOWI.

Only five would appear to have no direct personal financial interest in the application.

Several of these letters are clearly copied from a template, perhaps instructed by their employer.

It is hard for the 84 objectors, who are probably mostly local people or regular visitors, to compete with the money that MOWI is prepared to put behind its increasingly desperate attempts to force yet another fish farm on unwilling communities.

Clearly, almost the only people who want a salmon farm are those who stand to make personal financial gain from it. Can there be a clearer indication of how undesirable farms are?

I suggest local people who have the long-term interests of the region at heart - as opposed to the short-term economic interests that MOWI has - make their views known to the council, referring to planning application 20/01345/MFF.

Use your own words and make clear that you are not employed by any salmon farming company.

Can I ask councillors, when considering the application, to attend to the views of the people you represent, rather than overseas companies? Ed Tyler, Scottish Green Party, Argyll and

Bute Branch.