Changing of the guard

With a new government at Westminster, and new leadership at Holyrood, Salmon Scotland Chief Executive Tavish Scott has been busy ensuring that aquaculture’s voice is heard at the heart of UK politics.

Not for the first time in recent years, there is change at the heart of British politics.

The good news, however, is that the change – so far, anyway – has been to provide the kind of stability the country needs, despite there being a new party in charge at Westminster.

It’s clear that Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have brought a serious, pragmatic approach to government. That’s something that business certainly welcomes. In the aftermath of Brexit, and the Liz Truss budget that sparked such economic chaos, a period of stability is very much needed.

Of course there are major challenges ahead for the Starmer administration, not least given the perilous state of the public finances. Reeves has not shied away from explaining just how dire things are.

And that makes it even more important that the circumstances are created for economic growth. Our sector is one that can deliver the growth required, provided that government builds the economic climate we need.

Scottish salmon is the UK’s largest food export, generating more than £760m in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the economy.

I am pleased to report that the new government has recognised the contribution of our sector in its first few weeks.

Just four days after Starmer returned to Downing Street as Prime Minister, I had the opportunity to meet the new Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, in Westminster.

Ian came out to the Western Isles last year to see first-hand how salmon are raised, so he has a good understanding of our sector.

Anas Sarwar (centre) with Salmon Scotland at Aquaculture UK

I also met with his deputy, Kirsty McNeill, who is a new Scotland Office minister, as well as Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar who has one eye on the job of First Minister as the 2026 Holyrood election moves closer.

Both Ian and Anas took the time to recognise the importance of Scottish salmon when addressing an event for new Scottish MPs.

Since then I have also held formal talks with Ian, and I am confident that he will engage further with our member companies in the months ahead.

Talking to Holyrood 
Our engagement with the Scottish Government also continues apace, and I was delighted to meet Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes in July when she witnessed a contract signing between Mull-based Inverlussa Marine Services, which has appointed Macduff Shipyards to design and build a 25-metre hybrid workboat.

Kate really understands the importance of economic growth and wants to turn words into action for the Scottish Government.

New First Minister John Swinney did not have much time to get his feet under the desk before he was thrust into an election campaign, but I hope he fulfils his promise to focus on growth.

I have met with his top team this month to press the case for faster action from the Scottish civil service, and we eagerly await his first programme for government in September.

We will be setting out our asks of the Scottish Government in due course, with a focus on actually delivering the recommendations in the Griggs review of aquaculture, as well as measures to support innovation.

Back at the UK level, I have made clear in my correspondence with all new ministers that there is potential for further responsible and sustainable growth of our sector.

As everyone reading this knows, we have been adversely affected by Brexit.

So we need a serious, pragmatic approach to the UK’s relationship with the EU, with a clear focus on the nation’s export businesses which depend on a positive, professional relationship with France and the other countries of the EU.

I very much welcome the recent comments from the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, who recognised this and outlined his desire to grow salmon exports.

Bakkafrost Scotland’s Loch Roag salmon farm on Lewis, during Ian Murray and Torcuil Crichton’s visit last year

New faces
As well as our engagement with both governments, we also have a crop of new MPs to speak to. I congratulate all those elected in the recent contest.

I have already had the opportunity to meet with some of those who represent our farming areas, including Torcuil Crichton who is the new Labour MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar. Torcuil understands the importance of our sector, and aquaculture has a strong ally at Westminster in him.

There are, of course, also new MPs representing areas where we have a significant supply chain footprint, and I plan to spend some time in Westminster when it returns following the summer recess to ensure they all understand the role we play in creating good, skilled jobs.

And finally, when Holyrood returns in September, the ongoing inquiry by the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee will continue.

We look forward to welcoming MSPs to get their feet wet, so to speak, and see for themselves the reality of how salmon farms operate.

We will also continue to ensure that we provide politicians with the facts, and dispel the myths and outright lies that activists make who want to shut down our sector and make thousands of people unemployed.

Politics rarely stands still, but this is a particularly busy time.

As the sector’s trade body, our role is to ensure that our voice is heard at the heart of government – in both Edinburgh and Westminster – and we are certainly shouting loudly on behalf of our dedicated workforce.

Tavish Scott is Chief Executive of Salmon Scotland.