HL Deb 02 November 1998 vol 594 cc1-2WA
Lord Mason of Barnsley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many Scottish salmon fish farms have been closed down due to the virus Infectious Salmon Anaemia; and what effect this disease has had on the output of farmed salmon. [HL3528]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office (Lord Sewel)

Disease has been confirmed on 10 sites. These have been cleared and roughly 3,000 tonnes of fish slaughtered. In weight terms this is equivalent to about 3 per cent. of this year's expected production.

Lord Mason of Barnsley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What survey has taken place of all the Scottish salmon farms to assess the spread of the disease Infectious Salmon Anaemia, with a view to treatment and halting its expansion. [HL3529]

Lord Sewel

All sites are routinely inspected. Particularly close attention is being paid to sites where the disease has been confirmed or suspected, those in the same water catchment area and those which may have had contact with such sites. With a view to halting the spread of the disease, movement restrictions have been imposed on some 200 farms situated within 40 kilometres of confirmed/suspected sites. No treatment for the virus is currently available, though work on a preventive vaccine is under way in Canada.

Lord Mason of Barnsley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What has been the cost to Scottish salmon farmers of losses so far incurred due to the closure of their farms as a result of the disease Infectious Salmon Anaemia; and what forms of compensation are available. [HL3530]

Lord Sewel

The cost of losses is commercially confidential. Historically no compensation has been provided for fish diseases and there is currently no legislative provision to do so. The issue is however under consideration.

Lord Mason of Barnsley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

To what extent the disease Infectious Salmon Anaemia has been traced to foreign imports of salmon from Norway and Canada and for how long it has been traced to this source; and what action they have taken in the light of this development. [HL3531]

Lord Sewel

The origins of the outbreak have yet to be established. Imports of live salmon from Norway were already banned before the outbreak and none from Canada has been authorised.