§ Mr. Pollockasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he proposes to make an order under the Import of Live Fish (Scotland) Act 1978, in respect of the salmon species coho; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. YoungerI am aware of the fears that coho salmon could cause harm to our native salmon stocks. I have made the Import of Live Fish (Coho Salmon) (Prohibition) (Scotland) Order 1980 which will be laid before Parliament. This order prohibits the import into or the keeping or release in Scotland of live fish or the live eggs of coho salmon (oncorhynchus 661W kisutch) except under licence. I intend also to issue a licence in terms of the order to Unilever Ltd. to enable it to continue its experiments with the second generation fish hatched from eggs imported by it in 1976. The licence will contain conditions requiring the stock to be kept securely in captivity with a view to making any escape risk negligible.