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PART 1 INSPECTION & CHARGING
1.1 Inspection
Fisheries Research Services/ SEERAD being the most suitable regulator (Question 1)
1. The consultation paper suggested that the role of the Fish Health Inspectorate within the Fisheries Research Services ( FRS) could be extended to act on behalf of the Scottish Ministers in conjunction with Scottish Executive officials and others.
2. The responses to the consultation showed strong support for the proposal, although this was qualified by concerns about the resources and expertise available to the Fish Health Inspectorate with respect to any new functions relating to fish farm containment and sea lice.
3. The Scottish Executive intends to implement this proposal. The Bill will make provision for authorised inspectors acting on behalf of the Scottish Ministers to undertake the new duties set out in the Bill. The Scottish Executive will consider further how the Fish Health Inspectorate will be resourced and trained to undertake its extended role.
1.2 Charging
Permitting the option of charging in the future (Question 2)
4. The consultation proposed an enabling power in the Bill that would allow the possibility of charging in relation to the recovery of costs involved in undertaking certain farm inspections and for the authorisation of fish movements.
5. The responses to the consultation expressed support for the proposal. However most of the aquaculture industry disagreed with the proposal, as charging would have a detrimental effect on the competitiveness of the industry.
6. The Scottish Executive is proposing to introduce limited cost recovery powers in respect of parasites. This would apply only where a fish farm operator contravened an enforcement notice and where an inspector subsequently decided to take action to meet the requirements of the enforcement notice. The Scottish Executive will not introduce a general enabling power for charging, nor a specific power to allow for the charging of both farmed and wild fish movements. There will be no charges made for routine inspections of fish farms and shellfish farms.
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