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Seòmar agus comataidhean

Official Report: search what was said in Parliament

The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.  

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Dates of parliamentary sessions
  1. Session 1: 12 May 1999 to 31 March 2003
  2. Session 2: 7 May 2003 to 2 April 2007
  3. Session 3: 9 May 2007 to 22 March 2011
  4. Session 4: 11 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
  5. Session 5: 12 May 2016 to 5 May 2021
  6. Current session: 12 May 2021 to 19 December 2024
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Displaying 541 contributions

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Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

Meeting date: 2 October 2024

Emma Roddick

I would like to dig more into welfare. We have heard a few times today that mortality is just one and possibly not the most important indicator of fish welfare. I am aware that the welfare standards used by fish farms are the same as those that are used for land-based farmed animals. What is the reason behind that? Is that a good enough indicator of welfare?

One of the standards is that animals should be allowed to conduct their instinctive behaviours. Could you describe what those are for salmon and how they are able to do them in a cage?

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

Meeting date: 2 October 2024

Emma Roddick

I want to clarify—

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

Meeting date: 2 October 2024

Emma Roddick

But that was not the most recent week reported in the letter.

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

Meeting date: 2 October 2024

Emma Roddick

There is also a commitment to undertake a comprehensive review of the code of good practice. Could someone give us more information on that review?

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

Meeting date: 2 October 2024

Emma Roddick

I am keen to ask about wrasse. The fish health inspectorate told the committee that its primary concern was that the mortality of cleaner fish is higher than it would like. The committee is also aware of concerns regarding the sustainability of wild wrasse fisheries. How are you responding to those concerns and what action is the industry taking to improve the welfare of those fish?

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

Meeting date: 2 October 2024

Emma Roddick

There must be concerns about sustainability if the industry is trying to move to fish that are not wild caught.

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

Meeting date: 2 October 2024

Emma Roddick

But in respect of those that are being eaten by seals and other aquatic life, that is just natural, right? They are not being farmed for human purposes.

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

Meeting date: 2 October 2024

Emma Roddick

I have just one final question. Throughout this evidence session, we have had disagreements on statistics, yet we have also heard that the data being published on mortality and fish welfare is robust. Can that be the case if one set of data that the committee has received this week on mortality from the fish health inspectorate is now being challenged by yourselves? Is that robust data?

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

Meeting date: 2 October 2024

Emma Roddick

On that week, it did.

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

Meeting date: 2 October 2024

Emma Roddick

It is not a concern now.