HL Deb 19 December 2001 vol 630 cc73-4WA
Lord Mason of Barnsley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What has been the output of the Scottish salmon farms in each of the last five years; and [HL1821]

Whether they have been in consultation with the Salmon and Trout Association for information from their surveys regarding mass escapes from Scottish fish farms; and whether it has been established that interbreeding has taken place between the farmed and wild salmon; and [HL1823]

How many salmon farms have been found to be using toxic chemicals in the production of salmon; and what is their latest assessment of the environmental damage caused by pollution from salmon farming; and [HL1836]

To what extent sea lice are damaging the Scottish salmon farming industry; what new strategies have been introduced to combat this predation; and, whether, and to what extent, Invermectin is being used as a control agent; and [HL1837]

What is the present method of treating effluent from fish farms; what tonnage is dealt with annually; and how effective present methods are proving to be; and [HL1838]

What are the names of the foreign and United Kingdom companies which are in ownership of the Scottish fish farming industry, giving in each case their percentage share of the industry; and [HL1839]

Whether salmon anaemia has been totally eradicated in all the salmon farms in Scotland; what lessons have been learnt since the last outbreak; and what, if any, extra precautions have been taken to safeguard salmon stocks; and [GL1840]

In connection with salmon anaemia in Scotland, how many fish health inspectors are now employed; and how regularly inspections are made; and [HL1841]

Whether they will provide a list of the organic salmon fish farms in Scotland; and what is the total annual production of these farms. [HL1883]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

These are matters for the Scottish Executive and the noble Lord may wish to write to them about the issues involved.