This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Fish farming praised
19/04/2002
Scotland's aquaculture industry has demonstrated a
willingness to improve its competitiveness and a commitment
to develop new products and markets, it was said today.
Speaking after meeting exhibitors at the Aquaculture
2002 Exhibition in Glasgow, the Deputy Minister for
Environment & Rural Development, Allan Wilson said:
"I have been tremendously impressed by the diversity of
the exhibits I have seen today and by the scale of this
show. Aquaculture is of vital importance to Scotland for
its contribution to the social and economic wellbeing of
some of our remotest communities.
"Despite the often difficult trading conditions, the
commitment of our industry is demonstrated by a willingness
to embrace new technology to improve environmental
performance and productivity, the drive to find new
products and markets, and by the acceptance of the need to
diversify into other whitefish and shellfish species.
"The Aquaculture 2002 Exhibition offers an excellent
opportunity for our industry to come together to share
expertise and to promote Scottish products. And with a
considerable number of international visitors, the world is
seeing the best we have to offer.
"We do need to think carefully about the future if
Scottish aquaculture is to have a long term sustainable
foundation. That is why the Scottish Executive is
spearheading the development of a strategic framework to
achieve this. The challenge for us all is to balance the
socio-economic benefits that aquaculture provides with the
environmental impact of its operations. I am confident,
however, that by working together we shall achieve a
consensus on how to do that."
The Aquaculture 2002 Exhibition is on between 18 and 20
of April at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre
in Glasgow. This is the third show since its inception in
1998.
Further information can be obtained from the organisers,
EMAP Heighway at:
http://www.heighwayevents.com/aq2002/index.htm