Kit Davies
The war between Scotland's farmed salmon industry and environmental lobbyists reached a new intensity this week with a protest planned outside multiples in 97 towns and cities today (Saturday October 26).
The Salmon Farm Protest Group, led by angler Bruce Sandison, had marshalled volunteers to carry out leafleting outside stores, urging shoppers to boycott farmed salmon.
The group has launched a website, the Salmon Farm Monitor, which flags up the alleged impact on wild salmon stocks, and health concerns.
Sandison said: "I am not against salmon farming.But they must be the right farms, in the right place, and for the right reason. At present, Scotland's foreign-owned fish farmers are damaging not only Scotland's marine environment and our wild salmonids, but also damaging public confidence in all Scottish-produced food."
Scottish Quality Salmon hit back stating that every fact' in the campaign leaflet was wrong and slated the action as "yet another ill-informed attempt to damage the livelihoods of thousands of people".
SQS chief executive Brian Simpson said: "This group has adopted such a malicious view of salmon farming with no regard for progress or achievements that it serves no useful purpose."
Professor David Mackay, president of the Scottish Anglers' National Association, said: "Angling groups, salmon farmers and the Executive are increasingly working together to ensure wild salmon stocks are protected effectively. But there are still a few campaigners who continue to try to pit the stakeholders against each other.
"This won't do anything to protect wild salmon. But it would significantly damage an industry which keeps much of rural Scotland alive if these continued attacks are believed."
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The war between Scotland's farmed salmon industry and environmental lobbyists reached a new intensity this week with a protest planned outside multiples in 97 towns and cities today (Saturday October 26).
The Salmon Farm Protest Group, led by angler Bruce Sandison, had marshalled volunteers to carry out leafleting outside stores, urging shoppers to boycott farmed salmon.
The group has launched a website, the Salmon Farm Monitor, which flags up the alleged impact on wild salmon stocks, and health concerns.
Sandison said: "I am not against salmon farming.But they must be the right farms, in the right place, and for the right reason. At present, Scotland's foreign-owned fish farmers are damaging not only Scotland's marine environment and our wild salmonids, but also damaging public confidence in all Scottish-produced food."
Scottish Quality Salmon hit back stating that every fact' in the campaign leaflet was wrong and slated the action as "yet another ill-informed attempt to damage the livelihoods of thousands of people".
SQS chief executive Brian Simpson said: "This group has adopted such a malicious view of salmon farming with no regard for progress or achievements that it serves no useful purpose."
Professor David Mackay, president of the Scottish Anglers' National Association, said: "Angling groups, salmon farmers and the Executive are increasingly working together to ensure wild salmon stocks are protected effectively. But there are still a few campaigners who continue to try to pit the stakeholders against each other.
"This won't do anything to protect wild salmon. But it would significantly damage an industry which keeps much of rural Scotland alive if these continued attacks are believed."
{{MARKET EDGE }}
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