Salmon farm giant probed over the use of chemicals

SCOTLAND’S biggest salmon farmer is among a number of firms under investigation over the use of chemicals.

A BBC Panorama programme last night claimed Mowi, formerly known as Marine Harvest, was among the companies being probed by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa).

There are fears that chemicals as well as faeces and food waste from salmon farms could be damaging the environment in some lochs. The fish are treated with chemicals, including hydrogen peroxide and emamectin benzoate, to ward off disease and infestation. However, there are strict limits on how much can be used.

Norwegian-owned Mowi, which produces up to 60,000 tons of salmon each year in the UK alone, has denied any wrongdoing.

The BBC said it had been told Sepa’s enforcement team removed documents

‘Medication is used sparingly’

during an unannounced inspection of Mowi’s UK head office in Fort William, Inverness-shire, this month.

However, Mowi said the visit was part of an audit and was not unannounced.

Ian Roberts, of Mowi Scotland, said: ‘We have confidence in what we are reporting for medications. It is used sparingly.

‘We of course vaccinate our fish to protect them from fish health challenges and we have confidence in the numbers that we’re providing. So of course we are supporting Sepa in their audit, which has been ongoing for six months and involving the industry.’

Sepa is increasing its inspections and taking a tougher approach following criticism of how salmon farming is regulated. A spokesman said it had carried out scheduled audits and surprise inspections but was unable to comment further.

Sepa chief executive Terry A’Hearn said: ‘If companies do the right thing, then they have nothing to worry about.

‘If companies do the wrong thing, we are there to find that out and make sure they improve their game.

‘If that’s going to take tough action, you can be assured we’ll take it.’