MSPs meet to consider salmon inquiry report

A DRAFT report on the future of salmon farming in Scotland will be presented to members of Holyrood’s Rural Economy and Connectivity (REC) committee in Edinburgh tomorrow morning.
The committee took evidence from fish farmers, environmental groups, scientists, government regulators and other stakeholders in a series of six sessions, held at the Scottish parliament earlier this year.
Last to appear before MSPs, on May 9, was Scotland’s rural affairs minister, Fergus Ewing, who told the politicians of all parties of his determination to see the country’s salmon farming industry meet its growth targets.
Ewing stressed the importance of the sector to the Scottish economy, but said any growth must be sustainable.
When the committee concluded its evidence gathering, convenor Edward Mountain (Con) said the REC had a moral obligation to consider all the ‘excellent’ evidence provided, including more than 150 written submissions.
The inquiry was prompted by anti-salmon farming campaigners, Salmon and Trout Conservation Scotland. It submitted a petition to the parliament in 2016, shortly after the industry announced its ambition to double growth by 2030.
Committee members will debate the report’s recommendations, and their conclusions will then be published, possibly by the end of this month, although no date has been given.
A decision on whether to hold tomorrow’s discussions in private will be taken when the committee meets at 10.15am.
Picture: Minister Fergus Ewing giving evidence to the REC committee in May