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media release No more expansion until decision taken on 'relocating' farms - says FoE
Environmental and planning problems associated with Scotland's fish farms have become so serious that the Executive has proposed an Aquaculture Bill as a first step to reducing their impact. [1] Today's (Monday 24 March) decision by the Executive to "bring forward legislation governing the aquaculture industry" follows many years of campaigning by Friends of the Earth for a review of the industry and is a vindication of our case that fish farming needed proper regulation.
Commenting on the announcement Friends of the Earth Scotland's Head of Research, Dr Dan Barlow, said: “We have argued for many years that Scotland's fish farm industry was out of control. The Scottish Executive has recognised that the problems associated with fish farming have become so serious that legislation is the only way forward. The industry has consistently resisted regulation so the decision to legislate is a vindication of our concerns.
“We welcome proposals to develop a policy on the relocation of those farms causing the biggest environmental impact. However, we believe real action on relocation needs to begin now. Until the relocation policy has been developed permission for no more farms should be given.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
[1] Deputy Minister for Environment and
Rural Development, Allan Wilson MSP, today unveiled the Scottish Executive's
long-awaited Aquaculture
Strategy. [*FULL RELEASE ATTACHED]
[2] In 2001 as part of its strategy to see a truly sustainable, Scottish fish farm industry Friends of the Earth called for "the 3 Rs" to be applied to the industry: Relocation of salmon farms; Reduction in production and Removal of some sea cages.
Analysis of the impact of fish farms (including effluent discharges, toxic chemicals, escapes etc.) led FoE to identify 18 'Priority Areas' from Scapa Flow in Orkney, to Loch Roag and Loch Seaforth in Lewis and to Loch Ewe, Loch Fyne and Loch Linnhe on the West coast where the "3 Rs" process ought to begin as a matter of urgency. In particular FoE called for a ban on salmon farm cages near the mouth of salmon rivers. A map of the 'Priority Areas' is available at: http://www.foe-scotland.org.uk/nation/fish.html
[3]
Friends of the Earth is a supporting organisation of the 'everyone'
campaign - an initiative from Scottish Environment LINK. Some 26 organisations
with nearly half a million supporters are combining forces to push
the environment up the political agenda in the run up to the Scottish
Parliamentary
elections on May 1st. Already, an opinion poll by System 3 published
by the campaign on 26th February shows that the environment is likely
to be a decisive issue for the majority of voters during this May's
Scottish elections. The campaign features demands for a better environment with specific measures for clean air, healthy seas, safe food, less landfill, protection for wildlife and wild places, reduction in climate changing gases. It also features a campaigning website for supporters to target candidate MSPs directly.
On energy the 'everyone' campaign calls on parties to:
24
March 2003 Allan Wilson today outlined a range of steps which will be taken to promote the aquaculture industry in Scotland. The Deputy Environment
and Rural Development Minister was speaking at the Sea Change Conference
in Dunblane, where he launched the Scottish
Executive's Strategic Framework for Aquaculture. The Deputy Minister also announced annual investment from the Executive of up to £100,000 to support the establishment of a Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum. The Forum will also receive funding from other sources. Other action points contained in the Framework include: · Steps being taken promote aquaculture's economic development ‹ Federation of Scottish Aquaculture Producers to prepare plan to encourage investment in industry; independent study of regulatory costs on aquaculture businesses undertaken; development of Exports Action Plan · Actions to reduce the environmental impact of aquaculture ‹ review quality of fish farm environmental impact assessments and develop guidance for developers and regulators on minimum standards; collect environmental data to inform carrying capacity guidelines at local level; encourage companies to commit to environmental management systems; review effectiveness of voluntary sea lice management initiatives · Effects of fish farming on the marine environment ‹ develop policy on the location/re-location of fish farms; local authorities to develop local guidance zoning the development of aquaculture in coastal areas; · Changes to fish farm planning policy ‹ extend planning authority responsibility to marine fish farming; produce Scottish Planning Policy for fish farming Mr Wilson said: “The launch of this Strategic Framework for Aquaculture highlights our commitment to the development of a sustainable and competitive industry. “This Framework has been produced by various stakeholders, from industry, environmental groups, regulators, finance and retail representatives, and academics. The breadth of interests represented should ensure that this policy is successful and helps aquaculture in Scotland. “The Framework signals the Scottish Executive's commitment to an aquaculture industry which develops sustainably, and our recognition of the important contribution the industry makes to ScotlandÕs economy, particularly in rural areas. “The Executive aims to bring forward new, tailor-made legislation for aquaculture, to ensure that regulations governing the industry are fit for their purpose, taking account of economic and environmental concerns.” NOTES FOR EDITORS 1. The Strategic Framework for Aquaculture can be accessed
at: 2. The Aquaculture
Strategy Group, which has produced the Framework, was set up last June.
Details of this can be found at: 3. The Sea Change Conference took place today in Dunblane at the Hilton Dunblane Hydro.Contact: Matthew Marr: 0131 244 2560 >>>>>>>>> END OF SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE RELEASE<<<<<<<<<<<
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