This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Lord Sewel urges fish farmers to address sustainable issues
27/04/1998
"Sustainability is not an option which those involved in Scotland's fish farming industry can decide to take or leave. Unless the industry addresses key economic, social and environmental considerations, it will cease to exist. This should not, however, be seen as a threat but rather as a challenge."
This was the view expressed today by Lord Sewel, Scottish Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Minister, addressing the first environmental seminar held by the Scottish Salmon Growers Association in Inverness, and attended by salmon growers, local authorities, environmentalists and food businesses.
Lord Sewel paid tribute to the industry's initiatives and congratulated them on developing the sea lice strategy:
"Particular congratulations are warranted for the diligent and open way you have gone about encouraging others in the matter. Successful implementation of the strategy is, of course, dependent on all farmers playing ball. I hope to hear there has been extensive cooperation on this. However, as I think we all recognise, the strategy is the first step in what could be a long journey towards eliminating the parasite and maintaining environmental protection. I am grateful to the industry for embarking on the journey.
"It is no secret that your industry gets a fair amount of criticism on the environmental front. I expect some of you feel that this is misplaced. You may feel that the complaints come from those who do not have to face up to the economic realities, and hardships, of life in the areas concerned. I can understand this view. But there are very real concerns. I am only too well aware of this from the difficult decisions I have to make from time to time in balancing local economic and environmental needs. The fact of the matter, however, is that without a good quality environment within which to operate your industry cannot survive successfully into the future.
Looking to future planning arrangements for marine fish farms, on which the Government has recently undertaken a public consultation, Lord Sewel said:
"Fish farming impacts on local communities and I have no doubt that it is entirely proper that these communities should have the prime say in their development - and by that I mean the plus as well as the minus points.
"We have been consulting over recent months on how the application process might be improved and made more transparent between now and the Scottish Parliament introducing legislation.
"The responses to the consultation have overwhelmingly endorsed the proposition that planning responsibilities should be assigned to local authorities. In terms of the interim arrangements I am proposing that the view of local authorities will be given greater prominence. Where the authority objects that will hold sway but, equally importantly for the applicant, new appeal mechanisms involving the Scottish Office Inquiry Reporter Unit will be put in place. This new appeal mechanism will replace the Fish Farming Advisory Committee.
"I hope that having had an opportunity to reflect on these arrangements, people will recognise the merits of the proposals - not least because in terms of the decision-making and appeal mechanisms we are largely putting in place the regime that will apply once local authorities acquire the statutory power. Some practical aspects still have to be finalised but the intention is to introduce the new arrangements as quickly as possible.
"I am aware of a concern within the industry about the fragmented approach implicit in moving the planning approval process from the single Crown Estate Commissioners to possibly as many as six or so local authorities. To ensure a degree of consistency and uniformity in approach we are preparing central planning guidance and I anticipate that we shall be issuing this for consultation fairly shortly.
"Guidance will help potential developers and offer local authorities advice on how they should go about consideration of applications. It will also offer some area specific guidance which will reflect the state of current development.
"What do I mean by that? Simply that some sea lochs or areas of coastline may already have reached near saturation point in terms of the demands on the carrying capacity of the water. Likewise that there may be other areas where because of various unique features it would simply be inappropriate to allow developments. In these situations I envisage that the guidance could indicate that there should be a presumption against further development or new development.
"This, I believe, is totally consistent with the concept of sustainability and I am sure that it is in the interests of all concerned, your industry, local authorities, and others, that the guidance gives as much help in this area as possible."
The Minister concluded:
"As an industry, you have made major strides in what is still a relatively short period. You have overcome many major difficulties. I am in no doubt that the flexibility and ingenuity that has enabled you to do this will equip you well to deal with any challenges of sustainability."
News Release: 0842/98
April 27, 1998