As reflected in the Bute House Agreement, we remain committed to a programme of work to better protect wildlife and the environment, and ensure aquaculture in Scotland is sustainable, diverse, competitive and economically viable.

We have made significant progress on the recommendations of the 2017-18 Parliamentary Inquiries into Salmon Farming in Scotland. Last year I was pleased to provide an update to the Scottish Parliament: Salmon Farming in Scotland 3 May 2023 | Scottish Parliament Website.

Subsequently, in July 2023 we published the Scottish Government’s Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture which sets out our aspirations for the development of a sector, operating within environmental limits, and which recognises the considerable social and economic benefits it delivers.

A Consenting Task Group has been working to identify, pilot and review new measures to streamline the administration of the fish farm consenting processes, progressing key recommendations of the independent review of the regulatory framework for Scottish aquaculture.

In response to the Salmon Interactions Working Group report, the Scottish Government identified that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) would become the lead regulator responsible for managing sea lice and the interactions between wild and farmed fish. SEPA has developed and consulted on a new sea lice risk assessment framework that will be implemented from 1 February 2024.

Whilst we do not currently have plans to introduce a single accreditation scheme for salmon farming in Scotland, we take into account accreditation schemes when considering regulatory change. The Scottish Government recognises the role accreditation plays in driving innovation and improved practice, as well as providing retailers and consumers with confidence.

An independent review of the current regulatory framework for Scottish aquaculture by Professor Griggs was published on 10 February 2022 and is available to view on the Scottish Government’s website: Aquaculture regulatory process: review - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

The following data relates to information held by the Scottish Government on Aquaculture Production Businesses (APB) and authorisation to operate under regulation 6 of the Aquatic Animal Health (Scotland) Regulations 2009 for animal health purposes only.

How many finfish aquaculture sites have (a) been closed and (c) surrendered their licence since 1 January 2018:

• There have been 25 finfish aquaculture farm sites de-registered and no longer in operation;
• There have been 57 finfish aquaculture farm sites inactivated as they are either in long term fallow or there are no current plans to stock them, although the APB may still be in operation;
• There have been 15 finfish APBs de-registered, no longer in operation which have surrendered authorisation to operate;
• There have been 15 finfish APBs which are registered as non-producing businesses, and have no farm sites in operation, which have surrendered authorisation to operate.
• How many finfish aquaculture sites have (b) had their licence withdrawn since 1 January 2018 (withdrawn being interpreted by the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) as removal by the competent authority for enforcement purposes):
• There have been no finfish aquaculture farm sites which have been withdrawn from an APB’s authorisation to operate;
• There have been no finfish APBs which have had their authorisation to operate withdrawn.
• The reasons for any aquaculture site ceasing to operate are a decision made by the commercial company operating the site and are not available to the FHI.

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.

Local authorities are responsible for considering the potential environmental impacts of fish farms, including escaped fish, when determining planning applications. NatureScot, District Salmon Fishery Boards and Scottish Government Marine Directorate provide advice as statutory consultees.

Scottish Government Marine Directorate is responsible for monitoring and enforcement of containment and escapes provisions within the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2007, Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2013 and the Fish Farm Record Keeping (Scotland) Order 2008.

The industry in Scotland already operates to robust environmental regulations and delivers high standards and we are committed to working with the industry to make continuous improvements. In terms of environmental standards for aquaculture, most of the relevant powers are devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

The Fisheries Act 2020 and Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS) ( Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) ) set out how the Scottish Government works with the rest of the UK, including the UK Government, to manage aquaculture noting that there is a significant difference in size and different focus between the industries.

We work jointly to ensure that Free Trade Agreements safeguard the health of farmed salmon. We also work closely with the UK Government via the Aquatic Animal Health Policy Group to improve and ensure biosecurity of trade and domestic movements of live aquatic animals, minimising risk of introduction and spread of disease within UK waters.

The Finfish Aquaculture Advisory Panel is chaired by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and last met in May 2022. The recent focus of work of the parties involved in the panel has been on the development of the SEPA sea lice risk assessment framework and it will be for SEPA and the Panel members to determine when the Panel next meets.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24412 on 22 January 2024, to the answer to question S6W-23642 on 7 December 2023, and to the answer to question S6W-20127 on 21 July 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

The finfish farming sector operates under robust regulations covering environmental impact and fish health. The Scottish Government is committed to streamlining the aquaculture regulatory framework, whilst maintaining high standards, to ensure regulation is as efficient and effective as it can be. We are committed to a broad programme of work to support the sustainability of fish farming and improvements to its underpinning regulatory system, following the recommendations made in the independent review of the aquaculture regulatory process in Scotland , published by Professor Russel Griggs on 10 February 2022

I provided a written update to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee on 3 May 2023 setting out the progress made to support the sustainability of fish farming, and its underpinning regulatory system, since the inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland. I subsequently updated the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee at their session on salmon farming on 10 May 2023.

I recognise that there is more to do. Following the independent review of the aquaculture regulatory process, I have worked with the Scottish Aquaculture Council to deliver a new Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture in Scotland, which sets out our ambitions for the sector to 2045. The Vision includes an overarching aim that aquaculture is underpinned by an effective and efficient regulatory framework informed by the best available science and evidence.

I have also established the Consenting Task Group, which has been working to identify, pilot and review new measures to streamline the administration of the fish farm consenting processes and progressing key recommendations of the review.