SSPO comment on latest from anti-salmon farming campaigners

“The Salmon Farm Protest Group’s oft-repeated views are highly blinkered, disinformation campaigns. If the wrongdoings heaped upon Scottish salmon farming by this group were even remotely true, the industry would have been closed down long ago,” commented Sid Patten, Chief Executive of Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation.

“The reality is that salmon farmers in Scotland are fiercely proud of the fish they produce, they are keenly aware of their responsibility to the natural environment and they deserve their rightful place for salmon farming’s contribution to the social, economic and nutritional wellbeing of so many people.

“Consumers can buy with confidence and indeed many do, as consumption of fresh salmon continues to increase year-on-year. Some 356 million fresh salmon meals were enjoyed in 2005, an increase of approximately 18% compared with 2003, with 1.4 million new people enjoying the taste and health benefits of the fish for the first time.

“Ill-informed, unsubstantiated criticism, such as that from the SFPG, does not advance meaningful discussion and it is extremely surprising given there exists a substantial amount of strong, scientific research on our industry,” concluded Sid Patten.

END

Notes to editors:

1. Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation is a newly expanded trade association for the Scottish salmon farming industry.

For further information contact either:
Ken Hughes, Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation, 01738 587006 or 07974 173739
Julie Edgar, Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation, 01738 587000 or 0789 987 5151

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