May 2, 2006

Salmon farmers in Scotland protest merger of salmon companies

Independent salmon farmers in Scotland have expressed strong objection of the government's proposal to help bring about a merger to form the world¡¯s largest salmon farming companies.

Pan Fish's stated intention to buy Marine Harvest and Fjord Seafood, would make the new company the largest producer of Atlantic salmon, sparking fears that hundreds of salmon farming jobs would be lost in Scotland.

Last week, environment and rural development minister Rhona Brankin said the new company would control around 50 percent of salmon production in Scotland.

Independent farmers said that that this was an underestimate and that the correct figure should be 65 percent. Many are concerned that the independent sector, at a mere 15 percent of the market now, would shrink even further.

Salmon farmers are also incensed that the government is inviting companies for meetings to discuss ways in which the government agencies could assist them.

Angus MacMillan, an independent farmer, noted that a previous merger between Marine Harvest and Stolt in the Western Isles resulted in hundreds of job losses after its factories closed in 2003.