Press Release: "Scrutiny for Scottish Salmon"

– New campaign launched: 'Scottish Salmon Watch'

– Scottish Parliamentary inquiry closes in on Scottish salmon farming

– Diseases, Mortalities, Chemicals, Lice & Seal-Killing in spotlight

As a Scottish Parliamentary inquiry closes the net, a new campaign has been launched to bring closer attention to the problems plaguing Scottish salmon farming. 'Scottish Salmon Watch' asks consumers to make a pledge to boycott Scottish salmon. A tip-line has been set up for illegal labelling in supermarkets and alerts for fishy goings on at Scotland's disease-ridden salmon farms.

Documents obtained this week via Freedom of Information reveal that the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO), Marine Harvest and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) met with the Rural Economy & Connectivity Committee before they agreed their remit for the inquiry and before they officially launched a call for views.

And in an apparent clerical "error", Salmon & Trout Conservation Scotland (the organisation who filed a petition in 2016 prompting the Scottish Parliament's inquiry into salmon farming) were invited to give evidence but then "disinvited" (FOI reply from the Scottish Parliament to be posted online here – ref # 2018-600951: PDF files available via dstaniford@gaaia.org) [1].

Yesterday (27 February) the Scottish Parliament's Environment, Climate Change & Land Reform Committee met in private to discuss a draft report on the environmental impacts of salmon farming to be sent to the Rural Economy & Connectivity (REC) Committee with a final report scheduled for next week.

Earlier this month the REC Committee launched an inquiry: "To consider the current state of salmon industry in Scotland, identify opportunities for its future development and explore how the various fish health and environmental challenges it currently faces can be addressed".

According to a press release issued by the REC Committee: "A deadline of 27 April has been given for written submissions. The Committee will produce a report detailing its findings once it has concluded its anticipated evidence taking in March, April and May."

"Scottish salmon is being put under the microscope and will be scrutinised more than ever before," said Don Staniford, Director of Scottish Salmon Watch. "If consumers bother to check what's lurking under the glossy labelling and deceptive advertising they would be shocked to discover an industry plagued by problems. Thankfully, the Scottish Parliament's inquiry is already making people think twice about buying cheap and nasty Scottish salmon. A toxic industry which is infested with parasites; ridden with infectious diseases, viruses and mass mortalities; addicted to hazardous chemicals; uses depleted and contaminated feed; displaces wild fish; and is guilty of slaughtering dozens of seals each year has no place in a sustainable Scotland. Make the pledge today – it's time to boycott Scottish salmon."

Track the Scottish Parliament's inquiry via "About the Inquiry" including a video report: "Parliamentary Committee to scrutinise the farmed salmon industry in Scotland" and press release from the Rural Economy & Connectivity Committee: "Parliamentary Committee to scrutinise the farmed salmon industry in Scotland".