June 30, 2006

 

Major Scottish fish farms say no to live salmonid imports

 

 

Three major Scottish fish farms have declared Thursday (Jun 29) that they have no intention of importing live salmonids from Norway, dispelling media reports that said fish farms in the region are eager to do so.

 

A joint statement from Pan Fish Scotland Ltd, Marine Harvest (Scotland) Ltd and Fjord Seafood UK Ltd said the companies had noted substantial media coverage of the recent call from the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards (ASFB), and River & Fishery Trusts Scotland (RAFTS) to protect Scotland's native salmon stocks from Norway's salmonids.

 

Media reports had said Scottish fish farmers were eager to import live smolts from Norway, which would threaten the native species.

 

The joint statement declared the companies have no intention of importing live fish from outside the British isles. The companies said they would not be importing salmonids because, historically, live fish transfers poses significant risks for disease transmission.

 

The joint statement also reaffirms the companies' commitment to bio-security.

 

Although certification and thus imports would be obtainable through the authorities, the companies said they share the concerns of the various groups in regard to the possible spread of disease and parasites inherent in such trade.

 

However, the import of salmon eggs is a different matter, the joint statement said. Full testing of the parent stock in the country of origin is done to ensure that the parents do not carry any vertically transmissible disease before international trade.

 

The companies said they would keep their options open in the egg trade to provide commercial flexibility and security of supply.

 

The companies said at every stage of the egg importation process, biosecurity is the top priority, stressing that eggs are imported only from countries where a strict testing, biosecurity and disinfection procedure is in place.

 

The companies said that for those reasons, Scotland's native stocks of wild salmonids are adequately protected.