Question reference: S6W-09399
- Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 28 June 2022
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Current status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 15 July 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to produce proposals for a regulatory solution for seaweed aquaculture, in line with the recommendations made by Professor Griggs earlier in 2022, and, if so, when.
Answer
The Scottish Government recognises the emerging seaweed cultivation industry as an important part of the Scottish aquaculture sector. We are committed to taking action on aquaculture regulatory reform, which will include the seaweed sector. I have welcomed Professor Griggs’ independent report and accepted his recommendations in principle. His report recognises the unique challenges and opportunities of the seaweed sector and recommends that a separate regulatory framework is developed for the sector alongside frameworks for finfish and shellfish. It also stresses the need for these regulatory solutions to be informed by a government-led Vision for aquaculture, which is in progress and due to be published at the end of this year.