§ Mr. Onslowasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why he decided to issue a licence for the importation of Coho salmon eggs; when this licence was issued; when the eggs were imported; and what representations he has received on the subject.
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§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownThe only statutory constraint on the entry of live Coho salmon eggs into Scotland is that contained in Section 1 of the Diseases of Fish Act 1937. My Department was satisfied, after consulting its scientific advisers, that, subject to the strict conditions as to quarantine as well as to health certification and disinfection laid down in the licence and accepted by the importer, the importation would not endanger indigenous stocks of salmon and freshwater fish in Great Britain by spreading disease. The licence was issued on 14th December 1976 and the eggs were imported on 18th December 1976.
Views on the disease risks which might arise with Coho salmon were sought from 20 bodies representatives of salmon and freshwater fishery interests in Great Britain. Fifteen of these have responded to date, and two unsolicited representations have been received. Nine of the bodies consulted did not object, subject to the need for strict control, although two expressed some misgivings; six objected, four of them citing both disease and ecological grounds. The two unsolicited representations were against the import on ecological grounds. A final decision has still to be taken on whether the introduction of the commercial farming of Coho salmon would have unacceptable risks for our Atlantic salmon stocks.