This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Aquaculture regulation
06/12/2001
The outcome of a review into regulations governing aquaculture in Scotland is announced today following a wide ranging consultation.
The proposed action will help secure an environmentally sustainable and economically successful aquaculture industry, Deputy MInister for Environment and Fisheries Allan Wilson said.
He added:
"The purpose of the review was to achieve a balance of - sometimes competing - interests with proportionate regulation of the industry and due regard to the environment.
"Following extensive consultation, I believe the changes I now propose to introduce will achieve those purposes by providing a streamlined and more relevant regulatory framework.
"The main proposed changes are improved powers to SEPA to ensure effective control of environmental impacts, streamlining of application processes, measures to improve control of sea lice, and further work on the carrying capacity of coastal waters.
"I believe the action we are taking will provide the basis for an effective and balanced regulatory regime, as well as for the sustainable development of the Scottish aquaculture industry."
The review was launched in January this year. The initial phase involved the Executive inviting relevant interests to submit ideas for improvements and changes to regulation.
This was followed up by a consultation paper setting out a range of proposals which was published on June 29, with comments invited by the end of August. The deadline was extended to enable submission of late response, the last of which was received in mid October.