HL Deb 22 February 1977 vol 380 cc167-8WA
Lord CHELWOOD

asked Her Majesty's Government:

On what dates and from which bodies advice was sought about the possible ecological effect of importing 20,000 Coho salmon ova and what advice they received; on what date the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland issued an import licence; what assurance they can now give that fish will not escape; and whether they would regard escaped fish as a potential threat to Atlantic salmon.

The MINISTER of STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (Lord Kirkhill)

Between 18th and 22nd November 1976 the Fisheries Departments sought the views of the following bodies on the possible disease risks of permitting imports of live Coho salmon ova: The Scottish Fish Farming Association; The Association of Scottish District Salmon Fishery Boards; The Salmon Net Fishing Association of Scotland; The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers; The National Farmers' Union of England and Wales Fish Farming Section; The Salmon and Trout Association; The National Federation of Anglers; The Fisheries Organisation Society; The National Water Council; The National Anglers' Council; Regional Water Authorities (9) in England; and The Welsh National Water Development Authority. Nine of the bodies consulted did not object, subject to the need for strict controls, although two of these expressed some misgivings; six objected, four of them on both disease and ecological grounds, one on disease grounds and one on ecological grounds. Replies from five bodies are awaited.

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland, after consultation with its scientific advisers, issued a licence under the Diseases of Fish Act 1937 on 14th December 1976 covering the importation of the Coho salmon eggs. Strict conditions of health certification, disinfection and quarantine were attached to the licence which, taken in conjunction with categorical written assurances received from the importers, has ensured the complete quarantining of the eggs and the fish hatched from them and will require their subsequent destruction should it be decided, after full consideration of the views received, to cancel the licence. As I told the noble Viscount, Lord Thurso, in answer to his recent Question on 16th February, my right honourable friend is fully satisfied as to the efficiency of the quarantine and other conditions to be met. No final view has yet been reached as to whether the commercial farming of Coho salmon would in any way threaten our Atlantic salmon stocks in the event of their entering the natural environment of Great Britain.

House adjourned at twenty-five minutes before eleven o'clock.