§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he has any plans to introduce further controls in respect of the salmon farming industry; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he has any plans to introduce a long-term strategy to control salmon farming.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe Government recognise the importance of the marine salmon farming industry in bringing economic and social benefits to communities in Scotland. Equally they acknowledge that the longer-term existence of the industry can be assured only if the natural resource base on which the industry is dependent can be used in a sustainable manner. In conjunction with the Crown Estate Commissioners the Government have therefore strengthened the procedures for open and independent consideration of the more contentious seabed lease applications for marine fish farming through the establishment of an advisory committee. The Scottish Office is currently engaged in drawing up revised guidelines covering the location and siting of marine fish farms and will consult widely before these guidelines are introduced.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to meet representatives of Scottish Wildlife and Countryside Link to discuss salmon farming; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonI met representatives of Scottish Wildlife and Countryside Link for this purpose on 303W 21 January. We welcome the involvement of voluntary conservation bodies in the debate on the future of the salmon farming industry and plan to consult Scottish Wildlife and Countryside Link members as part of a wide-ranging consultation exercise on the establishment of revised guidelines covering the siting and location of marine fish farms.