Scottish salmon companies have called on the UK Government to increase the presence of their products at official events, arguing that showcasing farmed salmon would support the sector’s contribution to exports and employment.
According to documents released under freedom of information law, representatives from the salmon farming industry met with Scotland Office minister Kirsty McNeill in September 2024, where they requested a “greater supply of Scottish salmon” at government receptions, according to reporting by the The Ferret.
The minister was recorded as being “keen to see this”.
The meeting also addressed concerns over regulatory fragmentation, immigration policy, and export documentation. Industry leaders cited delays to export health certificates and called for “a more enlightened approach on immigration” to help address labour shortages in aquaculture.
In a statement, the Scotland Office defended its engagement with the sector, describing Scottish salmon as the “jewel in the crown” of Scotland’s produce and a key element of the government’s economic growth strategy. Scottish salmon is the UK’s largest food export, reaching nearly 50 international markets.
Criticism of the meeting was raised by campaign groups and the Scottish Greens, who expressed concern that the government was assisting with what they characterised as a public relations strategy. Industry critics also cited environmental and welfare concerns associated with salmon farming.
In response, sector representatives reiterated the importance of government backing for a product they described as an “extraordinary success story”, highlighting its role in supporting rural economies and Scotland’s global food reputation.
The lobbying efforts come amid wider scrutiny of how industries engage with the Scotland Office, as part of an ongoing investigation by The Ferret into corporate influence on government policy.