Salmon farmers attend Parliamentary Committee to discuss Bill

Sid Patten, Chief Executive of the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation (SSPO) will appear in front of the Environment and Rural Development Committee in the Scottish Parliament tomorrow (Wednesday 4th October) to give evidence on the forthcoming Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill.

Mr Patten will highlight the salmon farming industry’s commitment to good practice and environmental responsibility through its robust and independently audited Code of Good Practice (CoGP) and emphasise that the industry believes that this is the most effective, flexible and cost-effective means of achieving a sustainable aquaculture industry. Currently 95% of the salmon industry is signed up to the Code so the provisions of the proposed Bill would particularly relate only to the small number of companies in the industry who fail to sign up for the Code or are found to be in significant non-compliance with no indication of remedial action being taken.

Mr Patten said: “The industry welcomes the broad objective of the proposed Bill in so far as it is intended to act as a legal ‘backstop’ should any companies fail to meet the industry’s standards of good practice. Our response to the Committee today is based on our commitment to good practice, environmental responsibility, sound commercial judgement and a vision of how Scottish salmon farming can and should compete successfully in a global market. A robust Code of Good Practice, backed up with pragmatic legislation is a sensible approach to the future of our industry and its thousands of employees.”

ENDS

3rd October 2006

Notes to Editors:

A copy of the SSPO evidence to Committee is available on request.

For further information or to arrange an interview with Sid Patten contact either:

Julie Edgar on 0789 987 5151

Ken Hughes on 01738 587000 or 07974 173 739

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