§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list up to the latest available date(a) each instance of Infectious Salmon Anaemia, (b) its location, (c) the date reported to his Department and (d) if in wild or farmed salmon, in seatrout or other salmonoid; and what measures he has taken, or is taking, to (i) control and (ii) eliminate the condition; and if he has determined how ISA was introduced to Scottish waters. [80872]
§ Mr. MacdonaldTo date, Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) has been confirmed on 10 seawater farmed salmon sites, as follows:
Site Date of ISA confirmation Loch Nevis B, Argyll 15 May 1998 Loch Greshornish, Skye 16 May 1998 Loch Nevis A, Argyll 9 June 1998 Loch Creran A, Argyll 9 June 1998 Loch Creran C, Argyll 9 June 1998 Loch Creran B, Argyll 17 June 1998 Shuna, Argyll 24 July 1998 Lismore A, Argyll 24 July 1998 Mangaster Voe, Shetland 27 August 1998 Loch Nevis C. Argyll 18 September 1998 Confirmation of the presence of ISA is based on clinical signs and laboratory tests. The current outbreak is the first in the European Community and legislation requires its elimination from our waters. The measures taken include clearance of the fish from infected farms, disinfection of equipment and fallowing for at least 6 months. In conjunction with official monitoring and sampling of fish, permission is required for movements of fish, equipment etc, into and out of farms in the same water catchment area as infected farms and fish 573W movements are regulated in surrounding surveillance areas. An investigation into the source of the outbreak continues.
From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.