Scottish Salmon calls for 100% sign-up to Code

Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation (SSPO) has today announced that 95% of the salmon farming industry has now signed-up to the Code of Good Practice and it is now calling for 100% sign-up.

“Salmon farming is entering a new era.  It is excellent news that 95% of Scottish farmed salmon production from mainland Scotland, Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland have signed-up to the Code,” declared Sid Patten, Chief Executive of SSPO.

“Salmon farming is making great progress in demonstrating its commitment to good practice and environmental stewardship and a robust and independently audited Code is the most flexible and efficient means of achieving a sustainable salmon farming industry,” he added. 

Welcoming the news, Andrew Wallace, Director of the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards, commented:  “This is the start of an iterative process which, we very much hope, will lead to a growing confidence in the Scottish salmon farming industry over the years to come.

“Two factors will assist this. First we hope that those companies who currently have not signed-up to the Code will do so.  And second we look forward to a transparent and effective review of the industry's compliance with the Code to demonstrate that the industry is responsive to the results of that process,” he added.

Martin Gill, Executive Director of Food Certification (Scotland) Ltd, the independent auditors of the Code, noted:  “With a large proportion of the industry signed-up to participate, our inspectors are now working full time to complete the first round of on-farm assessments. 

“These first assessments will provide an indication of a farm’s level of compliance and identify relevant areas in which improvement needs to be implemented.  Given the scope and depth of the requirements, my initial impressions on the existing level of compliance being found is very encouraging,” he concluded.

A list of the participating companies in the Code of Good Practice is now available on www.foodcertificationscotland.com.

Notes:

• 95% of the volume of the Scottish salmon farming industry has now signed-up to the Code of Good Practice for Scottish Finfish Aquaculture.

• The Code of Good Practice comprehensively sets out the standards that farmers must demonstrate and compliance will be independently audited by UKAS-approved Inspectors, Food Certification (Scotland) Ltd.  A PDF version of the Code is available on www.scottishsalmon.co.uk.

• The Code has been developed by the Scottish Finfish Aquaculture Working Group. All interested stakeholder groups have been consulted including: the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department; Scottish Environment Protection Agency; Scottish Natural Heritage; Veterinary Medicines Directorate; Fisheries Research Services; WWF Scotland; Scottish Environment Link; RSPB Scotland; the Association for Salmon Fisheries Boards; Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland; Scottish Anglers National Association; Sea Trout Group; local authorities and the public.

• Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation aims to represent salmon farming in regulatory and political matters. For the first time, industry members from mainland Scotland, Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland have joined together to ensure that the industry’s contribution to Scotland’s social, economic and commercial landscape is promoted, recognised and rewarded by its stakeholders.

ENDS

12 September 2006

For further information contact either:
Ken Hughes, Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation, 01738 587006 / 07974 173739
Julie Edgar, Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation, 01738 587010 / 0789 987 5151

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