“There is insufficient evidence to support a moratorium on the industry’s expansion,” says Scottish Government environment minister Roseanna Cunningham.
At the end of August, SalmonBusiness reported on the Danish government legislation which aimed to stop the creation of new facilities and expansion of existing ones.
The Press And Journal reports that inspired by Denmark, Highlands and Islands Green MSP and anti-salmon farm campaigner John Finnie has called for the same in Scotland.
But the Scottish Government has rejected this. Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Roseanna Cunningham said: “We continually monitor the developments in other countries, including the recent decision of the Danish Government, in our work to ensure there is continual improvement of the regulation of fish farming in Scotland.
“The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee’s report on salmon farming in Scotland concluded there is insufficient evidence to support a moratorium on the industry’s expansion. In responding to that report we made clear that the status quo is not an option and we are progressing work to improve the regulatory arrangements which apply to salmon farming to better enable sustainable growth, ranging from increased transparency in reporting to management of interactions between farmed and wild fish.”
