Scottish Quality Salmon statement re publication of American PBDE research

"Listening to activists could be bad for your health", says Brian Simpson, Chief Executive of Scottish Quality Salmon.

“The publication of a paper by Americans Ronald Hites and David Carpenter, regarding PBDEs in salmon in Environmental Science & Technology is yet another example of the tactics being used by wealthy American anti-Scottish salmon farming campaigners to scare the public.

“Fortunately, a highly respected, independent scientific committee set up by the UK’s Food Standards Agency has recently given clear advice – taking into account PBDEs – on what consumers should do(3). Eating two portions a week of oily fish (including Scottish farmed salmon) is good for everyone. Four portions a week is even better for boys, men and older women.

“To suggest that we should be eating less is highly irresponsible. In this instance, listening to activists could be very bad for your health. Scottish Quality Salmon is committed to providing the very best fish that not only tastes great but also gives the added advantage of being good for the heart, the brain, the unborn baby and generally contributing to a long and healthy lifestyle.”

Notes to editors:

1. PBDEs are used as flame retardants in fabrics and soft furnishing and can be absorbed by breathing in dust from sofas, cushions, and padded mattresses. They are present in many computers, televisions, mobile phones and other electrical equipment.
2. Swedish research has found that PBDEs were present in the blood of office workers who use computers, and also in hospital cleaners and workers at an electronics dismantling plant.The highest levels were in the latter, demonstrating the role of electrical goods in the contamination. (Sjödin, A., Hagmar, L., Klasson-Wehler, E., Kronholm-Diab, K., Jakobsson, E. and Bergman, A. 1999. Flame retardant exposure: Polybrominated diphenylethers in blood from Swedish workers. Environmental Health Perspectives 107, p643-648 http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/1999/107p643-648sjodin/abstract.html)
3. Food Standards Agency: http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2004/jun/oilyfishfaq
4. “PBDE Fire Retardants And Health Threats”, The Green Guide, 30th June 2003, http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc.mhtml?i=97&s=pbde
5. This study has been funded by the aggressively anti-industry US environmental group the Pew Charitable Trusts. Dr David Carpenter, one of the authors of this and the January Science paper recently commented: “We want it [the study] to have an economic impact.” (Sunday Herald, 29th February 2004)

10th August 2004

For further information contact: Julie Edgar, Scottish Quality Salmon on 01738 587010 or 0789 987 5151

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