No truth in antibiotic claims

ANTIBIOTIC use in salmon farming remains low and does not pose a risk to human health, according to the Scottish government.

‘Antibiotics are not used on a long-term basis but intermittently for short periods – five to 14 days – to control outbreaks of disease,’ said a government spokesman, in response to claims by anti-salmon farming campaigners.

Figures produced by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) have been ‘skewed’ by campaigners to suit their agenda, said the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organ- isation chief executive Scott Landsburgh. ‘False and unfounded accusations have the potential to damage the reputation of the UK’s favourite fish – and Scotland’s largest food export, which is often seen as the pillar of Scotland’s rural economy.’

Sepa’s figures include several drugs which are not antibiotics. They also reflect the total weight of drugs prescribed, rather than actually used, including any active antibiotic ingredients.