A Freedom of Information reply from the Scottish Government earlier this month (2 April 2020) reveals an abject lack of testing of viruses, pathogens and infectious diseases.
Scottish Salmon Watch's FOI request of 28 February 2020 also asked for:
The Scottish Government refused the FOI request on 2 April 2020 citing commercial confidentiality:
Read the Scottish Government's FOI reply dated 2 April 2020 in full online here
The Scottish Government posted the FOI reply online on 3 April 2020 via FOI/202000018313:
Scottish Salmon Watch today (9 April 2020) formally requested a review of the Scottish Government's FOI refusal.
In February 2020, Scottish Salmon Watch wrote to Scottish Ministers with respect to bio-security protocols and safety precautions of imported ova.
Download letter in full online here
The Scottish Government replied on 25 March 2020:
According to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE):
The Scottish Government's 'Biosecurity Measures Plan' states:
The Scottish Government's 'Disinfection Guide' is available online here
Read more via:
Letter to Scottish Ministers: "Bio-security Protocols & Safety Precautions re. Ova Imports"
In February 2020, Scottish Salmon Watch and The Ferret revealed that imports of salmon eggs (ova) from Norway were banned in May 2019 following fears of the spread of Infectious Salmon Anaemia.
Read more via:
The Ferret: "Imports of Norwegian salmon eggs banned over deadly virus"
Norwegian Salmon Egg Exports Banned Due to Disease Risks
Game Ova for Scottish Salmon – Deadly disease delays egg imports from AquaGen in Norway
Deadly virus outbreak prompted fears over import of fish farm eggs to Scotland
In June 2019, Scottish Salmon Watch revealed that testing by Marine Scotland Science in 2018 and 2019 found Piscine Reovirus in over 50% of farmed salmon.
Read more via "Virus-Laden Farmed Salmon"
In April 2019, Scottish Salmon Watch wrote to Scottish Ministers urging the testing of ova, smolts and farmed salmon in sea cages for infectious diseases, pathogens and viruses.
