§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has now completed all his consultations in Scotland on a salmon tagging scheme to curb salmon poaching; what organisations have offered resistance; whether he is able to report progress; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe consultations have been completed. Several difficulties have been identified in connection with the tagging of imports and farmed salmon, and the control and security of tags. The main opposition to tagging in Scotland has come from fish farmers who are concerned about the disruptive effect of tagging on their activities, and from organisations representative of anglers who regard tagging as an unnecessary imposition. My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State is still considering this issue, along with other Fisheries Ministers.