Salmon Scotland calls for urgent focus on growth

Scotland’s salmon sector has urged the country’s First Minister, John Swinney, to prioritise growth and job creation in tomorrow’s Programme for Government.

Trade body Salmon Scotland is also calling on the First Minister to cut the red tape hindering Scotland’s blue economy.

Swinney will be presenting his first Programme for Government, which sets out his key priorities for the year, since taking over the top job earlier this year.

The appeal from Salmon Scotland comes as Scotland’s Finance Secretary Shona Robison and UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves face tough financial outlooks and impose public spending curbs.

Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, described Scottish salmon as “a bright spot for Scotland’s economy” and stressed the need for support to build on “giant leaps” in global sales, with the sector on track for record-breaking exports.

Last year’s Programme for Government acknowledged aquaculture’s “vital role in our economy” and outlined a vision for the blue economy, highlighting Scottish salmon as a key component.

However, Salmon Scotland has warned that slow regulatory reform and under-resourced planning departments are stalling sustainable growth and revenues needed to support public services.

Recommendations from an independent review by Professor Russel Griggs, which provided a detailed roadmap for better regulation, have yet to be fully implemented after more than two years, Salmon Scotland said.

The organisation is urging ministers to deliver on their commitments to support growth and public services.

Salmon Scotland also urged action on Scotland’s housing emergency, particularly in rural and coastal areas where affordable accommodation is scarce.

It highlighted the need for increased funding for planning authorities to speed up approvals for salmon farms and other key projects, which would create jobs and boost the economy.

The current consents and licensing process is lengthy and involves several regulatory bodies, leading to significant delays.

Salmon Scotland CEO with 2024 election manifesto

Unlocking growth

Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, said: “The Scottish Government has acknowledged the significant economic and rural contribution of the aquaculture sector.

“Despite ongoing challenges from Brexit, Covid, the cost-of-living crisis, and inflation, our sector remains a bright spot, with Scottish salmon making giant leaps in global markets.

“It has never been more important for the Scottish government to focus on the levers it has to drive job creation and economic growth which, in turn, will generate essential wealth for public services.

“We have the ability and aspiration to grow, but we need government to urgently reform the cumbersome regulatory and consenting landscape that is holding back salmon farmers.

“More than two years after the Griggs review, changes to streamline regulation and enable the sector to grow responsibly are still not in place, which hinders the creation of high-quality local jobs.

“Additionally, we need to ensure that planning departments are adequately financed and resourced to be able to make speedy planning decisions, not just for the Scottish salmon sector, but for other wealth-generating sectors which have similar issues getting developments through the consenting process.

“We urge the First Minister to act decisively and work with us to unlock Scotland’s economic potential.”