Salmon industry ‘must be allowed to grow’

SCOTLAND’s salmon industry must be allowed to grow despite concerns about the environmental damage it is causing, business leaders told MSPs yesterday.

Scottish food industry representatives admitted that environmental standards have to be improved.

But they also said the number of salmon farms in Scotland must increase to meet growing demand.

The comments came at an inquiry by the rural economy committee into the growth of the industry.

The environment committee previously published a damning report warning the growth is unsustainable and could cause ‘irrecoverable damage’.

Asked if he recognised the concerns expressed in that report, Scotland Food and Drink chief executive James Withers said: ‘Yes, I do. I absolutely recognise the contents of the report. But we know for certain demand for Scottish salmon is increasing.

‘Today, and every day this week and this year, we will eat one million meals involving salmon in the UK. I would far rather we met that demand from systems in Scotland we can control and where we can add economic value here than have that demand met elsewhere. If we had a moratorium, that demand would not go away – it would be met from elsewhere.’

But Donald Cameron, a member of the environment committee, told the food economy committee: ‘Our concern is the projected expansion from 1 0,000 tons to double that in 15 years. If that expansion happens and the industry is not operating to the highest environmental standards, then frankly we have a problem.’