Current status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 16 May 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce statutory financial penalties for (a) large-scale salmon escapes and (b) environmental non-compliance within the salmon farming sector, in line with international standards
In our response to Rural Affairs and Islands Committee Salmon Farming in Scotland report, we committed to prioritising progress to introduce penalties for fish farm escapes in 2026-2027.
In terms of environmental non-compliance, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has powers to issue fixed and variable monetary penalties. Further details can be found on SEPA’s website: Enforcement | Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).