Question reference: S6W-24430
- Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 10 January 2024
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Current status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 22 January 2024
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it has done to address the reported institutional and personal mistrust between the finfish industry, regulators, parts of government and stakeholders.
Answer
I do not recognise this characterisation of the relationship among the parties with an interest in aquaculture and it is an unhelpful misrepresentation of the many ways in which key partners, including government, interact. However, there are always ways in which governments should consider generally how to improve, augment and embed constructive relationships. Accordingly, in June 2022 I established and chair the Scottish Aquaculture Council. The Council has met on four occasions to date and brings together senior representation from the aquaculture sector, wider government, regulators and other key organisations with a remit to collaborate and advise Scottish Ministers in helping deliver the Government’s aspirations for the sector.
This forum is enabling constructive discussions around key developments. Advice provided by the Council has already helped inform the development of the content and approach of our Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture. The Consenting Task Group is enabling finfish sector, regulators and other stakeholders to work together, resulting in a pilot proposal for a new pre-application fish farm consenting process.