Eggsclusive: FOI Reveals ‘Scottish’ Salmon Imported As Ova from Iceland & Ireland – Norway eggs-pelled due to disease risks!

 

 

 

 

It appears game ova for Norwegian egg imports into salmon farms across Scotland – Iceland and Ireland have well and truly cracked the market for 'Scottish' salmon replacing imports from disease-ridden Norway. 

 

 

 

 

A Freedom of Information (FOI) disclosure by the Scottish Government published online in April 2021 reveals that 'Scottish' salmon is now sourced predominantly from imported ova (eggs) from Iceland and Ireland substituting Norway (due to ongoing risks of the spread of Infectious Salmon Anaemia).   The last reported consignments of ova imported from Norway were in April 2020 into hatcheries operated by Scottish Sea Farms (Norskott Havbruk) at Knock on the Isle of Mull and Cooke Aquaculture at Rysa on Orkney – and another shipment from AquaGen in Norway to Cooke's Rysa hatchery on Orkney in January 2021. 

 

SG March 2021 FOI #1

SG March 2021 FOI #2

 

SG March 2021 FOI #4

 

SG March 2021 FOI #3

 

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch asked in May 2021:

 

 

 

 

The spread of Infectious Salmon Anaemia is plaguing salmon farms in Norway – including Leroy (co-owner of Scottish Sea Farms). 

 

 

 

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch reported in October 2020:

 

 

 

PR Rotten Edifice of Scottish Salmon 1 October 2020 #1

PR Rotten Edifice of Scottish Salmon 1 October 2020 #2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scottish Government data published in October 2020 – sourced from the Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey 2019 – included:

 

2019 Fish Farm Survey #10

2019 Fish Farm Survey #11

2019 Fish Farm Survey #12

 

 

 

Intrafish reported in August 2020:

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

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 with Iceland replacing Norway as the primary source of 'Scottish' salmon. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch revealed in August 2020:

 

 

PR Norwegian Salmon Ova Slip Back Into Scotland 25 August 2020 #1

PR Norwegian Salmon Ova Slip Back Into Scotland 25 August 2020 #2

PR Norwegian Salmon Ova Slip Back Into Scotland 25 August 2020 #3

PR Norwegian Salmon Ova Slip Back Into Scotland 25 August 2020 #3 b

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch today (7 July 2021) filed a FOI request with both the Scottish Government and Norwegian Government for information on disease risks of ova imports. 

 

Norway eggs graphic Norwegian salmon

 

 

 

In September 2020, the Scottish Government disclosed data on ova imports following a FOI request filed by Scottish Salmon Watch.

 

FOI 3 Sept 2020

 

The FOI disclosure detailed:

 

FOI 3 Sept 2020 #2 FOI 3 Sept 2020 #3

 

 

 

In February 2020, the Scottish Government disclosed data on ova imports following a FOI request filed by Scottish Salmon Watch.

 

FOI 14 Feb 2020 #2

 

FOI 14 Feb 2020 #3

The FOI disclosure included:

 

FOI 14 Feb 2020 #6 FOI 14 Feb 2020 #7

FOI 14 Feb 2020 #8 FOI 14 Feb 2020 #9

 

 

FOI 14 Feb 2020 #4 FOI 14 Feb 2020 #5

 

 

 

In November 2019, Scottish Salmon Watch won a landmark FOI ruling from the Scottish Information Commissioner forcing the Scottish Government to disclose "commercially damaging" information on where Scottish Sea Farms (Norskott Havbruk) sourced their imported ova.

 

 

 

 

In December 2019, Scottish Ministers disclosed the "commercially damaging" information.

 

 

 

PR Scottish Salmon Exposed Mowi Ireland & Stofnfiskur 18 Dec 2019 #1

 

PR Scottish Salmon Exposed Mowi Ireland & Stofnfiskur 18 Dec 2019 #2

 

 

 

In July 2019, the Mail On Sunday reported:

 

Mail On Sunday 7 July 2019

 

 

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch reported in May 2019:

 

PR Eggsclusive King of Fish Now Viking Not Scottish 13 May 2019 #1

 

FOI Nov 2018 #1

 

 

FOI Nov 2018 #2

FOI Nov 2018 #3

 

FOI Nov 2018 #4

 

FOI Nov 2018 #5

 

FOI Nov 2018 #6

 

FOI Nov 2018 #7

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch reported in April 2019:

 

 

 

PR Easter Egg Ban for Scottish Salmon 7 April 2019 #1

PR Easter Egg Ban for Scottish Salmon 7 April 2019 #2

PR Easter Egg Ban for Scottish Salmon 7 April 2019 #3

PR Easter Egg Ban for Scottish Salmon 7 April 2019 #4 revised

 

 

 

In March 2019, AquaGen bought a hatchery in Dumfries off Scottish Sea Farms (sourced from imported ova) which aimed to produce 50 million 'Scottish' salmon ova annually. 

 

AquaGen snaps up SSF hatchery Feb 2019 #4

 

AquaGen snaps up SSF hatchery Feb 2019 #5

 

 

Fish Farmer reported in February 2020 (following Norway's ban on ova imports into Scotland):

 

Fish Farmer 27 Feb 2020 #2

Fish Farmer 27 Feb 2020 #3

 

 

The Ferret reported in February 2019:

 

Ferret 15 Feb 2019 #1

 

Ferret 15 Feb 2019 #4

 

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch reported in May 2018:

 

PR Ova 31 May 2018 #1 snapshot

 

 

The National reported on their front page in May 2018:

 

 

The National 31 May 2018 Front Page

 

The National 31 May 2018 Newspaper article #1

The National 31 May 2018 Newspaper article #2

 

 

 

Replacing imported Norwegian ova with imported Icelandic (and Irish) ova, however, is merely switching from one disease risk to another.    Science Advances reported in May 2021 on the spread of Piscine orthoreovirus (PRV) from Norwegian salmon farming to wild salmon in Canada "fuelled by aquacultural transmission" (i.e. infected farmed salmon which was imported as ova from Norway to Canada).

 

PRV #1

 

 

The threats posed by imported ova – from both ISA and PRV – are all too clear.   The New York Times reported in 2011 how infected ova from Norway (AquaGen) spread ISA in Chile. 

 

NY Times 2011

 

 

The scientific paper detailing vertical transmission via infected ova is available online here.

 

PRV #2

 

 

Vertical transmission of PRV via infected ova has also been reported from Iceland to the United States.  The Seattle Times reported in May 2018:

 

PRV #5

PRV #6

 

 

 

The Seattle Times reported in December 2018:

 

PRV #3 PRV #4

 

 

Salmon Business reported in December 2018:

 

PRV #7

 

 

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

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch reported in June 2019 that testing by Marine Scotland Science in 2018 and 2019 found Piscine Reovirus in over 50% of farmed salmon tested.

 

 

 

PRV Virus Laden PR June 2019

PRV Virus Laden PR June 2019 #2

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch reported in April 2020 that a Freedom of Information reply from the Scottish Government (2 April 2020) revealed 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 warned in a press release published in August 2020:

 

PRV #8

 

The press release (25 August 2020) included:

 

PRV #9

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch wrote to Scottish Ministers (26 August 2020) calling for a ban on imported ova and testing of hatcheries and farms for infectious diseases, viruses and pathogens (download letter as a PDF online here).

 

Letter to Scottish Government re ISA & disease testing 26 Aug 2020 #1

 

 

 

 

 

Read more via:

Massive Attack on "Rotten Edifice" of 'Scottish' Salmon

Norwegian Salmon Ova Slip Back Into Scotland (as Infectious Salmon Anaemia plagues salmon farms in Norway)

Norway's Infectious Salmon "Horror Show" Secretly Playing Now In Scotland?

EFTA disclose documents on disease-ridden Norwegian salmon farming but refuse more citing commercial confidentiality

'Scottish' salmon resumes imports of "ISA-free" eggs from Norway?

Undercurrent News: "Iceland replaces Norway as main source of Scottish salmon eggs following import ban"

Letter to Scottish Ministers: "Bio-security Protocols & Safety Precautions re. Ova Imports"

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

Mail On Sunday: "90% of Scottish salmon 'ISN'T' from Scotland' – 66m eggs shipped in from abroad"

Salmon Eggsclusive: Scotland's 'King of Fish' is Now Viking Not Scottish!

Easter Egg Ban for 'Scottish' Salmon?

The Ferret: "Deadly virus outbreak prompted fears over import of fish farm eggs to Scotland"

Game Ova for Scottish Salmon – Deadly disease delays egg imports from AquaGen in Norway

Virus-Laden Farmed Salmon

Concerns raised over Scottish salmon roe imports

'Secret' Scottish Salmon – Norwegian-owned Scottish Sea Farms refuse to disclose information for ova imports as it would "cause substantial harm to their commercial interests"

Government 'failing to protect Scottish salmon'

Complete Mockery of the Brand 'Scottish Salmon': Norway bans import of Scottish salmon eggs citing disease risks & genetic impacts under the Nature Diversity Act

Imported eggs ruling 'makes a mockery of Scottish salmon'

Norway keeps ban on import of Scottish roe

Tartan imposters’ charge as fish egg imports hit 90%

Invasion of the Viking salmon

Fish farms are ‘wiping out Scotland’s wild salmon’

Escaped farmed salmon impacts

'Norwegian' genes found in wild salmon populations in Wester Ross

 

 

 

 

Addendum:

 

From: Don Staniford <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Jul 7, 2021 at 6:37 AM
Subject: FOI re. Ova Imports & disease risks (ISA & PRV)
To: <CEU@gov.scot>
 
Please provide data since 17 March 2021 on imports of ova into salmon farms in Scotland.
 
Please provide any information since 8 July 2020 on imported ova into salmon farms and any disease risks (i.e. since https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202000058422/). 
 

Please include discussions with the Norwegian, Irish and Icelandic Governments, 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 8 July 2020.

Information on any disease risks and biosecurity concerns of ova imports would include any discussions, emails, letters and other information relating to Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) and Piscine reovirus (PRV).

 
 
Please consider this a formal request for information via the relevant FOI and Environmental Information regulations.
 
Please provide the information electronically.
 
Please provide a receipt.
 
Thanks,
 
Don Staniford
 
Director, Scottish Salmon Watch
 
 
 
From: Don Staniford <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Jul 7, 2021 at 6:41 AM
Subject: FOI re. Ova Imports & disease risks (ISA & PRV)
To: <innsynshenvendelser@mattilsynet.no>
 
Please provide any information since 1 January 2020 on imported/exported ova into salmon farms and any disease risks including Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) and Piscine reovirus (PRV).
 
Please include discussions with the egg companies, government agencies (including EFTA) salmon farming companies and other parties.
 
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, Leroy and any other parties in relation to ova imports since 1 January 2020.
 
 
 
Please consider this a formal request for information via the relevant FOI and Environmental Information regulations.
 
Please provide the information electronically.
 
Please provide a receipt.
 
Thanks,
 
Don Staniford
 
Director, Scottish Salmon Watch
 
 
 
From: Don Staniford <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Jul 7, 2021 at 6:45 AM
Subject: Fwd: FOI re. Ova Imports & disease risks (ISA & PRV)
To: Registry User <registry@eftasurv.int>
Cc: Howdle, Catherine <Catherine.Howdle@eftasurv.int>, <Carsten.Zatschler@eftasurv.int>, Nielsen, Jonas <Jonas.Nielsen@eftasurv.int>
 
Please provide any information since 1 January 2020 on imported/exported ova into salmon farms and any disease risks including Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) and Piscine reovirus (PRV).

 
Please include discussions with the egg companies, government agencies, salmon farming companies and other parties.
 
 
 
Please consider this a formal request for information via the relevant FOI and Environmental Information regulations.
 
Please provide the information electronically.
 
Please provide a receipt.
 
Thanks,
 
Don Staniford
 
Director, Scottish Salmon Watch
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