SSPO reaction to fourth case of ISA detected in Shetland

In response to today’s (21st May) announcement that Fisheries Research Services (FRS) Inspectors have detected Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) in a fourth salmon farm within the control zone in south west Shetland, Scott Landsburgh, Chief Executive of the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation (SSPO) said:

“The majority of sites in the control and surveillance zones are now empty of fish, so we remain confident that the issue will be contained.

“The farm is within the existing control zone, so it is not entirely unexpected.  All the appropriate biosecurity precautions continue to be in place,” said Landsburgh.

The ISA virus is specific to fish and does not pose any risk to humans.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Scottish salmon farming industry has been free of ISA since May 1999 and has an excellent protocol in the Code of Practice for managing this current situation.

2. FRS is now operating control procedures set out in the Code of Practice to Avoid and Minimise the Impact of ISA, which was written jointly by Scottish Government officials and the salmon farming industry in 2000.

END

For further information, contact Ken Hughes 01738 587006 / 07974 173739 or Julie Edgar 01738 587000 / 0789 987 5151.

back to media releases and website news