Top German farming and food production journalists visit SQS member farm

Some of Germany’s top farming and food production journalists visited Scottish Quality Salmon member company Scottish Sea Farms last weekend, as part of an educational tour to learn more about farmed salmon production in Scotland.

John Barrington, Quality Manager with Scottish Sea Farms Ltd, showed the group of eight from south-west Germany around the Lismore North marine site on Lower Loch Linnhe. “The visitors were surprised and encouraged by the food quality and environmental protection measures that are in place on our farms,” commented Barrington.

“Having read the negative publicity at the start of the year, I’m glad that we had the opportunity to present the facts about matters such as stocking density, fallowing periods and fish health and welfare. I think the group was enthused by the care and attention that we place in farming high quality, nutritious salmon,” he added.

Visit organiser Norman Dunn, whose Germany-based media agency specialises in news of farming and food production throughout Europe, summed up the tour: “Indian summer weather, smooth seas and sunshine coupled to spectacular West Highland scenery left us with truly unforgettable impressions from this part of Scotland – and of the extreme care that’s taken in production by Scottish Sea Farms of one of the country’s great culinary treasures.”

Brian Simpson, Chief Executive of Scottish Quality Salmon, added: “The exports of Scottish farmed salmon to Germany increased from 5,104 tonnes in 2002 to 7,235 in 2003, a rise of 41%. Although not the biggest export market, it is a significant one. Visits such as these are very important, as it provides an opportunity for our guests to come and see for themselves what actually happens on a member company’s farm.”

In addition to learning about the production methods, the group also gained knowledge of the adherence to ISO 14001 environmental management requirements, the regulatory process and the continual monitoring of the local marine environment, which includes daily wildlife logging by fish farm staff to check effects on flora and fauna.

Notes to Editors:

1 The visit was organised by Norman Dunn with support from Scottish Quality Salmon. It occurred on Saturday 4th September 2004.
2 Participating in the Scottish Sea Farms visit were Cornelius Mohr, chief editor of a chain of farming, wine and food production magazines in Hessia and Rhineland Palatinate; Albert Münz, editor of “Sicher Leben”; Mrs Renate Gosmann, Mrs Ellen Maldaner-Mühst, and Gert-Heinrich Gerdes, freelance TV and newspaper journalists; Roland Maldaner-Mühst, director of a large food-based advertising agency; and Thomas Preusse, editor-in-chief of farming and food production publications from the German Agricultural Society. This organisation plans a first-ever fish farming exhibition as part of northern Europe’s largest livestock and food production event, EuroTier 2004, in Hanover this November.
3 The exports of Scottish farmed salmon increased by a massive 48% in 2003 across all major markets. The French market continued to be very strong with exports increasing to over 34,000 tonnes, while more modest markets such as Germany and Japan both increased significantly. The largest increase was recorded in the USA where exports climbed dramatically by 217%.
4 Scottish Quality Salmon is dedicated to improving the quality and sustainability of salmon farming in Scotland – from feed companies through to salmon smokers and processors – the whole production chain. Membership now represents 65% of the tonnage produced by the Scottish salmon farming industry.

END 13TH September 2004

For further information contact either:
Ken Hughes,
Communications Executive,
Scottish Quality Salmon,
+44 (0)1738 587000 or 07974 173739

John Barrington,
Quality Manager with Scottish Sea Farms,
01631 574019

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