The Committee is holding a follow-up inquiry into the implementation of the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee’s session 5 report recommendations for salmon farming in Scotland.
The report considered the state of the salmon industry in Scotland, identified opportunities for its future development and explored how fish health and environmental challenges could be addressed.
This inquiry will look at the report's recommendations and assess where progress has been made across four themes:
In August 2021, Professor Russel Griggs was tasked by the Scottish Government to deliver a first phase of a review into the regulation of aquaculture. Professor Griggs reported his findings and recommendations in February 2022 and these were then accepted in principle by the Scottish Government. Professor Griggs gave evidence to the Committee on 22 June 2022.
Appointment and terms of reference for the Review of the Aquaculture Regulatory Process in Scotland
Read Professor Griggs’s report
Official Report for the Committee’s meeting on 22 June 2022
The Committee held an evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands on 10 May 2023 which focused on the Scottish Government’s progress in responding to the recommendations in the RECC report and the Griggs review.
The inquiry was discussed at the following Committee meetings:
The Committee took part in a fact finding visit to Oban during which it hosted a community engagement event with local stakeholders, visited a research facility and toured a local salmon farm.
The Committee has sent and received the following correspondence during the inquiry:
Letter from Animal Equality UK, 10 December 2024
Letter from WildFish, 10 December 2024
Letter from Sustainable Inshore Fisheries Trust, 9 December 2024
Letter from Dr Martin Jaffa, 28 November 2024
Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, 27 November 2024
Letter from Salmon Scotland, 25 November 2024
Letter from Green Britain Foundation, 20 November 2024
Letter from Edward Mountain MSP, 19 November 2024
Letter from OneKind, 14 November 2024
Letter from Loch Long Salmon Ltd, 12 November 2024
Submission from WildFish Scotland, 12 November 2024
Submission from Coastal Communities Network Scotland, 11 November 2024
Submission from Roddie Macpherson, 8 November 2024
Letter from Salmon Scotland, 25 October 2024
Letter from Orkney Trout Fishing Association, 25 October 2024
Letter from Wild Rise Company, 17 October 2024
Letter from Dr Martin Jaffa, Callander McDowell, 10 October 2024
Letter to Salmon Scotland, 9 October 2024
Letter from Ewan Kennedy, 2 October 2024
Letter from Animal Equality, 30 September 2024
Letter from the Fish Health Inspectorate, 27 September 2024
Follow-up submission from Fisheries Management Scotland, 27 September 2024
Letter from Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), 26 September 2024
Submission from Lesley Spenceley, 4 September 2024
Letter from Dr Martin Jaffa, Callander McDowell, 14 August 2024
Letter from OneKind, 14 August 2024
Letter from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, 9 August 2024
Letter from Salmon Scotland, 28 June 2024
Letter from Fisheries Management Scotland, 27 June 2024
Letter from Salmon Scotland, 27 June 2024
Letter from the Shetland Islands Council, 24 June 2024
Letter from NatureScot, 21 June 2024
Letter from Wild Rise Company, 14 June 2024
Letter from Salmon Scotland, 13 June 2024
Letter from the Animal Law Foundation, 6 June 2024
Letter from Scottish Environment Protection Agency, 6 June 2024
Letter from the RSPCA, 5 June 2024
Letter from Matthew Carse and Johanna Lindsay-MacDougall, 5 June 2024
Letter from John Boyle, 5 June 2024
Letter from Salmon Scotland, 4 June 2024
Letter from Gerry Farrell, 3 June 2024
Letter from John Gray, 3 June 2024
Letter from Tim Bowie and family, 3 June 2024
Letter from Cooke Scotland, 30 May 2024
Letter to Rhoda Grant, MSP for the Highlands and Islands, from Migdale Smolt and Migdale Transport, 30 May 2024
Letter from Inverlussa Marine Services, 30 May 2024
Letter from Atlantic Salmon Trust, 29 May 2024
Letter from Gael Force Group, 29 May 2024
Letter from Landcatch Natural Selection Ltd, 27 May 2024
Letter to the Convener of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, Edward Mountain, 22 May 2024
Letter to Atlantic Salmon Trust, 3 May 2024
Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, 3 May 2023
Letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, 19 April 2023
Letter from the Convener, to Edward Mountain MSP, 4 October 2022
Letter from Edward Mountain MSP to the Convener, 6 September 2022