Norway’s Infectious Salmon “Horror Show” Secretly Playing Now In Scotland?

 

 

 

 

 

Intrafish reported (20 August 2020):

 

Intrafish ISA Horror Show 20 August 2020 #1

Intrafish ISA Horror Show 20 August 2020 #2

 

Scottish Salmon Watch today (20 August 2020) filed Freedom of Information requests with the UK and Scottish Government on testing of imported salmon ova (eggs) for Infectious Salmon Anaemia as well as testing in hatcheries and farms.

 

 

 

 

 

In April 2020, Scottish Salmon Watch reported:

 

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. 

 

FOI reply 2 April 2020 #1

FOI reply 2 April 2020 #2

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch's FOI request of 28 February 2020 also asked for:

 

FOI reply 2 April 2020 #3

 

The Scottish Government refused the FOI request on 2 April 2020 citing commercial confidentiality:

 

FOI reply 2 April 2020 #4

FOI reply 2 April 2020 #5

FOI reply 2 April 2020 #6

 

Read more via "FOI Reveals Virus-Laden Salmon Slip Net & Into Scottish Waters"

 

 

In July 2020, Scottish Salmon Watch reported:

 

Last month Scottish Salmon Watch revealed that imports of salmon eggs (ova) into Scottish salmon farms may have restarted following a ban in May 2019 due to Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA).   Now the European Free Trade Association has finally disclosed some documents via Freedom of Information but refused many more citing commercial confidentiality. 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, ISA continues to ravage salmon farms in Norway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ISA Norway July 2020 #4

 

ISA Norway July 2020 #3

 

 

 

ISA Norway July 2020 #1 ISA Norway July 2020 #2

 

ISA July 2020

 

Cermaq ISA Norway June 2020

 

ISA Mowi Jan 2020

 

ISA Grieg Jan 2020

 

ISA Mowi Dec 2019

 

 

 

In February 2020, Scottish Salmon Watch wrote to Scottish Ministers with respect to bio-security protocols and safety precautions of imported ova. 

 

Letter to Scottish Government re eggs imports 24 February 2020 Tweet

Letter to Scottish Government re eggs imports 24 February 2020 #1

 

Download letter in full online here

 

 

 

The Scottish Government replied on 25 March 2020:

 

Letter reply from SG 25 March 2020 #1

Letter reply from SG 25 March 2020 #2

Letter reply from SG 25 March 2020 #3

Letter reply from SG 25 March 2020 #4

Letter reply from SG 25 March 2020 #5

 

According to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE):

 

Letter reply from SG 25 March 2020 # OIE responsibilities of importing countries

 

The Scottish Government's 'Biosecurity Measures Plan' states:

 

Letter reply from SG 25 March 2020 # SG BMP

 

The Scottish Government's 'Disinfection Guide' is available online here

Letter reply from SG 25 March 2020 # FRS Disinfection Guide

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. 

 

Ferret 24 Feb 2020 #1

 

PR Norway Ova Ban Due to ISA 24 Feb 2020 Tweet #1

 

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

 

 

Ferret 15 Feb 2019 #1

 

 

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.

 

PRV Virus Laden PR June 2019

PRV Virus Laden PR June 2019 #2

 

Read more via "Virus-Laden Farmed Salmon"

 

PRV Virus Laden Tweet 13 March 2020

 

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. 

Letter to Scottish Ministers 5 April 2019 #1

 

 

Read more via:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch filed this FOI request with the Scottish Government (8 July 2020):

 

From: Don Staniford <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Jul 8, 2020 at 9:40 AM
Subject: FOI re. ova imports & ISA since 16 December 2019
To: <ceu@scotland.gsi.gov.uk>
 
Further to FOI-19-02663 responded to on 14 February 2020 please provide information on imports of ova (salmon eggs) and Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) since 16 December 2019.  
 
Please include:
 
Ova import data since the last imports detailed in the information disclosed via FOI-19-02663 (i.e. data since 16 December 2019).
 
Information in relation to discussions re. ova imports since 16 December 2019, to include discussions with the Norwegian Government, egg companies, salmon farming companies and other parties.  This would also include any emails, letters, Cabinet Briefings, press updates and other information on ova imports in relation to salmon farming.  It would also include any correspondence with EFTA/ESA, Mattilsynet (Norwegian Food Safety Authority), European Commission, AquaGen, Benchmark (Stofnfiskur), Landcatch (Hendrix Genetics), Mowi, Scottish Sea Farms and any other parties in relation to ova imports since 16 December 2019. 

Information on any disease risks and biosecurity concerns of ova imports.  This would include any discussions, emails, letters and other information relating to Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) which would certainly include reference to Norwegian salmon farming. 

 
There's more context on this issue via:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Please consider this a formal request for information under the relevant FOI and Environmental Information regulations. 
 
Please provide the information electronically.
 
Please provide a receipt for this FOI request.
 
Thanks,
 
Don Staniford
 
Director, Scottish Salmon Watch
 
 
From: <casehandling.service@gov.scot>
Date: Fri, Aug 7, 2020 at 10:08 PM
Subject: Your recent correspondence with Scottish Government and partner agencies – 202000058422
To: <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com>
Please find attached a response to your correspondence.
 
 
FOI reply SG 7 Aug 2020 #1 attachments
 
 
 
 
 
 
From: Don Staniford <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Aug 18, 2020 at 1:45 PM
Subject: Review re FOI 202000058422
To: <directormarinescotland@gov.scot>
Cc: <Neil.Purvis@gov.scot>
Please consider this a formal request for a review of FOI/202000058422.
 
Firstly, I do not see the FOI reply posted online?
 
 
Will you be posting the FOI disclosure online?
 
Could you please double-check that the FOI reply is complete and all documents have been included?
 
Scottish Salmon Watch's FOI request dated 8 July 2020 included:
 
 
image.png

 
However, the Scottish Government's FOI reply failed to include any information relating to discussions with the Norwegian Government, EFTA/ESA or Mattilsynet (Norwegian Food Safety Authority). 
 
Moreover, the Excel document disclosing data on ova imports included two shipments from AquaGen in Norway dated 8 April 2020:
 
 
image.png
 
 
Yet Mattilsynet did not issue a press release on the lifting of ISA import restrictions until 23 April 2020 via https://www.mattilsynet.no/language/english/fish_and_aquaculture/fish_health/areas_declared_free_from_infectious_salmon_anaemia_isa.19431
 
 
"The company’s [AquaGen's] hatchery in Rimstad, Norway, was given the all-clear for export in April, and eggs stripped from broodstock held at a Nofima-operated land based unit can once again be transported there for incubation…. The [Scottish Government] spokesperson added that the Norwegian Food Safety Authority lifted its self-imposed suspension of health certification of live fish, ova and gametes from a number of ISA-free zones and compartments in March 2020."
 
 
An email from DEFRA dated 12 March 2020 did include some specifics on the Norwegian ban being lifted from 6 March 2020:
 
image.png

image.png

 
Surely there is more information than the information disclosed on 7 August by the Scottish Government?
 
For example, AquaGen's press statement – cited as a PDF in the FOI disclosure (Word) surely generated some internal discussion?
 
image.png

 
Scottish Salmon Watch asks you to review the FOI reply and double-check the completeness of the information disclosed.
 
On p13 of the FOI disclosure in Word it cites:
 
image.png

 
 
However, I cannot open this file.  Could you please send by separate copy?
 
 
Finally, Scottish Salmon Watch takes issue with the exemption re. internal communications; namely:
 
 
image.png
 
 
Surely there is no "private space" via emails for publicly-elected Ministers and officials (paid for out of the public purse) to exchange free and frank advice?  Surely the private space of dark corridors and smoky pubs is enough?
 
Scottish Salmon Watch is of the view that any discussions of drafts to media and other responses and exchanges via email should be disclosed via FOI as part of an open and transparent government.  We therefore ask you to reconsider this exemption as part of this FOI review request. 
 
Please provide a receipt for this FOI review request.
 
As background to this issue please note:
 
 
 
 
Thanks,
 
Don Staniford
 
Director, Scottish Salmon Watch
 
 
 
 
 
 
Scottish Salmon Watch filed the following FOI request to DEFRA (20 August 2020):
 

From: Don Staniford <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Aug 20, 2020 at 10:10 AM
Subject: FOI re. imported salmon ova and testing for diseases, viruses and pathogens in hatcheries and farms
To: Defra Information Rights Team <informationrequests@defra.gov.uk>, defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk

Please provide information on the import of salmon eggs (ova) since 1 May 2019. 

 

Please include data on salmon ova imports.

 

Please include emails, letters and any other information relating to salmon ova imports.

 

Please also provide information on disease risks and the testing of imported salmon eggs (ova) for infectious diseases, pathogens and viruses such as Infectious Salmon Anaemia and Piscine Reovirus since 1 May 2019.

 

Please include correspondence with the Norwegian authorities (e.g. Mattilsynet), EFTA/ESA, EU, EC, the Scottish Government, AquaGen, Benchmark, salmon farming companies and other parties. 

 

Please consider this a FOI request under the relevant FOI and Environmental Information regulations.

 

Please note a FOI reply from the Scottish Government disclosed on 7 August 2020 (FOI/202000058422) which included:

 

From: <REDACTED> <<REDACTED>@gov.scot>
Sent: 07 February 2020 15:03
To: <REDACTED> <<REDACTED>@defra.gov.uk>
Cc: <REDACTED> (MARLAB) <<REDACTED>@gov.scot>
Subject: Temporary ova suspension update from Norwegian authorities.

Hi <REDACTED>

It was nice talking to you earlier – thank you for the update.

As we discussed, some industry members expressed concerns, over uncertainty with the subject in matter, as a result I thought it would best to ask DEFRA to seek an update from Norwegian authorities if possible. We would be grateful if you can seek clarity and provide further information on the ISA free compartment list and when the competent authority will resume issuing certificates for exports.

I guess the  main question to ask is if they expect to put forward the ISA free list for consideration and open up trade in the meeting next week or in any of the following meetings e.g April meeting? Are they seeking approval from SCoPAFF that they have fully implemented corrective measures or is this just an update on their progress?

Also is the EFTA audit completed (still scheduled until April?).

Also grateful if you can let me know if there is any forward visibility regarding which compartments will be put forward.

Any help/assistance you can provide would be greatly appreciate.

Kind regards

<REDACTED>

<REDACTED>
<REDACTED>

Marine Scotland – Aquaculture, Crown Estate, Recreational Fisheries, EMFF and Europe
Tel: <REDACTED>
E-mail: <REDACTED>@gov.scot  
Web: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/marinescotland
Mail: Scottish Government, 1B North, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ

 

From: <REDACTED> <REDACTED>@defra.gov.uk>
Sent: 25 February 2020 16:43
To: <REDACTED> <REDACTED>@gov.scot>
Cc: <REDACTED> <REDACTED>@defra.gov.uk>
Subject: Feedback from Norway – ova suspension

Hi <REDACTED>,

Sorry for the delay with this but we’ve now heard back from Norway regarding an update on the ova suspension.

They have informed us that they’ve been in a process of carrying out a comprehensive evaluation of all of their previously Declared ISA-free zones and compartments in order to rule out all possible misunderstandings and lack of fulfilment of the requirements set out in Commission Decision 1554/2015. This process is now in its final stage, and a conclusion will be reached within a few days.

Therefore, they’ve said that at the moment they’re not able to give more details on which compartments will be reintroduced on their list, but will provide more information as soon as the final decision is made.

I will let you know as and when we receive more information.

Best wishes,

<REDACTED>

<REDACTED>

<REDACTED>

Aquatic Animal Health | Animal & Plant Health

Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs

Area 2B Nobel House | 17 Smith Square | London SW1P 3JR

<REDACTED>@defra.gov.uk | <REDACTED>

For those in Defra: find me on people finder; FAPHET Organogram

<REDACTED>

From: <REDACTED> <<REDACTED>@defra.gov.uk>
Sent: 12 March 2020 13:36
To: <REDACTED> <<REDACTED>@gov.scot>; <REDACTED> <<REDACTED>@daera-ni.gov.uk>; <REDACTED>@gov.wales; <REDACTED>@gov.wales' <REDACTED>@gov.wales>; <REDACTED> (MARLAB) <REDACTED>@gov.scot>; <REDACTED> <REDACTED>@scotland.gsi.gov.uk>; <REDACTED> <REDACTED>@daera-ni.gov.uk>; <REDACTED>@daera-ni.gov.uk
Cc: <REDACTED> <<REDACTED>@defra.gov.uk>; <REDACTED> <REDACTED>@defra.gov.uk>
Subject: Norweigen Temporary ova suspension update

Dear all,

Please find information below regarding the Norwegian self-imposed suspension of  health certification of live aquaculture animals from certain ISA-free zones and compartments.

They have now confirmed that the Norwegian Food Safety Authority has decided to lift the suspension for the following compartments as from 6th March 2020:

  • Compartment 18000 – Rimstad, Company AquaGen
  • Compartment 12917 – Sjølseng – Hall 6, Veksthall 1 og 2, Company AquaGen
  • Compartment 12917 – Sjølseng -  Hall 2, Company AquaGen

Consequently, live ova produced at those compartments will from now on be certified for export to UK.

Best wishes,

<REDACTED>

<REDACTED>

<REDACTED>

Aquatic Animal Health | Animal & Plant Health

Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs

Area 2B Nobel House | 17 Smith Square | London SW1P 3JR

<REDACTED>@defra.gov.uk | 020802 65135

For those in Defra: find me on people finder; FAPHET Organogram

<REDACTED>

 

 

 

For more context please read: Norway's Infectious Salmon "Horror Show" Secretly Playing Now In Scotland?

 

 

Please acknowledge receipt of this FOI request.

 

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me on 07771 541826.

 

Thanks,

 

Don Staniford

 

Director, Scottish Salmon Watch

 
 
 
 
From: SM-Defra-Helpline, Defra (MCU) <defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk>
Date: Thu, Aug 20, 2020 at 10:18 AM
Subject: Automatic reply: FOI re. imported salmon ova and testing for diseases, viruses and pathogens in hatcheries and farms
To: Don Staniford <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com>

Thank you for your email to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. We have a target of replying to emails within 20 working days where a response is required, and 20 working days where a case is handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 or the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

 

Please be aware that we are receiving a high number of correspondence during the COVID-19 outbreak which may mean a delay in response times.

 

If you need a reply before then, please call the Defra Helpline on 03459 33 55 77, or visit https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs as information is updated regularly.

 

If your enquiry is related to COVID- 19, please check our guidance page first before you contact us – https://www.gov.uk/search/guidance-and-regulation?organisations%5B%5D=department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs&parent=department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs

 

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If you suspect a notifiable animal disease or have animal welfare concerns, please report these to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) immediately. Failure to report a notifiable animal disease is an offence. APHA can be contacted using the following details:

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