Seòmar agus comataidhean

Okay. Thank you.

The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee reported, or identified, a lack of scientific data into the interactions between farmed and wild salmon. Can you tell us whether the research for that has developed over the past six years since that committee’s recommendations, and is there still a knowledge gap? Whoever feels most qualified to answer should answer.

Yes.

The next item of business is to commence our follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland by hearing from two panels of witnesses. This is the first of a number of evidence sessions that we will hold over the coming months. Our inquiry follows the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee’s extensive inquiry in session 5. In 2018, that committee produced its report, which included 65 recommendations for the Government, its agencies and the aquaculture industry to take forward in order to improve salmon farming.

I make it clear from the outset that, through our work, we do not intend to reopen the various debates on salmon farming in Scotland that were explored in depth during that committee’s inquiry. Our inquiry quite simply involves assessing the level of progress that has been made in implementing the recommendations that were agreed by our predecessor committee.

With that disclaimer out of the way, I am pleased to welcome our first panel of witnesses, who are representing environmental and animal welfare non-governmental organisations. We are joined by John Aitchison, from the Coastal Communities Network’s aquaculture group; Sean Black, senior scientific officer for aquaculture at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; Sarah Evans, aquaculture policy officer at the Marine Conservation Society; and Rachel Mulrenan, Scotland director of WildFish.

I also welcome Edward Mountain, who is attending today’s meeting. I will bring you in after members have completed their questions. Do you have any interests to declare?

Thank you.

We have about 90 minutes for questions, and I will kick off. It has been estimated that salmon farming was worth approximately £760 million to the Scottish economy in 2021, and it provides more than 1,500 full-time jobs. In your view, does salmon farming bring economic and social benefits to Scotland? If so, how could those benefits be improved?

As no one else wants to respond to Elena Whitham’s questions, we will move on to questions from Ariane Burgess. Ariane, part of your question about escapes has been answered. Do you have a supplementary?

Would anybody like to come in? Sam Martin?

Is that research capability available in other parts of the world? Is it just Scotland where there is an issue?

So, is it your perception that the industry is making enough progress quickly enough to address these concerns?

Please direct your comments through the chair.