« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Outlined below is the wider Scottish Government policy context within which thisRenewed Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculturewill sit.
Scottish Government's Economic Strategy
On 13 November 2007, the Scottish Government published the Government Economic Strategy. The Strategy's single purpose is to focus the Scottish Government and public services on creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing economic growth on a socially and environmentally sustainable basis. This growth, which includes our shared vision for aquaculture, will be achieved through five Strategic Objectives which aim to make Scotland:
- Wealthier and fairer - enable businesses and people to increase their wealth and more people to share fairly in that wealth. In the context of aquaculture, this means a growing competitive and profitable aquaculture industry which is seen as a good neighbour;
- Smarter - expand opportunities for Scots to succeed from nurture through to life-long learning, ensuring higher and more widely shared achievements. This means making the best use of technology and resources for aquaculture;
- Healthier - help people to sustain and improve their health, especially in disadvantaged communities, ensuring better, local and faster access to health care. This means the production and promotion of high quality farmed fish and shellfish as part of a healthy nutritious diet;
- Safer and stronger - help local communities to flourish, becoming stronger, safer places to live, offering improved opportunities and a better quality of life. This means a sustainable aquaculture industry, building and supporting communities; and
- Greener - improve Scotland's natural and built environment and the sustainable use and enjoyment of it. This means minimising the impact of aquaculture, ensuring it operates within the carrying capacity of the environment and encouraging environmentally sound practice.
The Renewed Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture will be guided by these overarching strategic objectives.
Proposed Marine Bill for Scotland
The Scottish Government is currently consulting on proposals for Scottish marine legislation and the establishment of a Scottish Marine Management Organisation (Marine Scotland), to provide improved, better integrated marine management arrangements. This will include a new system of marine planning to manage and ensure optimum use of marine space and resources. The implementation of this Renewed Strategic Framework will fit within, and contribute to, these wider developments in marine management. The consultation on a proposed Scottish Marine Bill is available on the Scottish Government website and you are encouraged to respond.
The Planning Process for Aquaculture
Local authorities are responsible for determining planning permission for aquaculture facilities. Finfish farms are also subject to Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations. The Scottish Government has published planning policy for shellfish and finfish farms - Scottish Planning Policy ( SPP) 22 Planning for Fish Farming.
Climate Change
The Scottish Government will play its part in rising to the global challenge of climate change and is developing a Scottish Climate Change Bill. Scottish aquaculture must ensure that the potential impacts of a changing climate are incorporated into planning and development of the industry to reduce its vulnerability and capitalise on potential opportunities.
European Fisheries Fund ( EFF)
EFF is the successor to FIFG (Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance) and will provide a mechanism of support to Scotland's fisheries industry and fisheries communities. The Scottish Government expects to be in a position to start making awards in the autumn 2008.
The National Food and Drink Policy
At its core, aquaculture is about the production of high quality food.
Demand for fish and shellfish is increasing worldwide but there is limited room for expansion in wild capture fisheries. Meeting this added demand can only realistically come from sustainable aquaculture. The health benefits of fish and shellfish in general and oily fish in particular are well documented and Scotland is already well placed through its aquaculture industry to deliver high quality, safe, nutritious and healthy farmed fish and shellfish.
Aquaculture has an important contribution to make in delivering the first National Food and Drink Policy. This policy aims to promote Scotland's sustainable economic growth by ensuring that the focus of all food and drink-related activity by Government offers quality, health and wellbeing and sustainability, whilst recognising the need for access to affordable food for all.
Scotland Food and Drink, an industry-led body, has also been established to bring everyone involved in the food and drink industry together to work to a common agenda. The body aims to deliver greater success in global markets and to capitalise on Scotland's remarkable brand as the land of quality food and drink.
The Renewed Strategic Framework will provide a route for the aquaculture industry to contribute to the wider food agenda.
« Previous | Contents | Next »