It is anticipated that the Environment and Rural Development Committee will be designated as the lead committee for Stage 1 scrutiny of the Bill. This means that the Committee will take evidence on the Bill and then produce a report to the Parliament recommending whether the Parliament should agree to the general principles of the Bill. To assist in producing this recommendation, written and oral evidence is being sought from a wide range of interested parties.
Purpose of the Bill
The Bill has been introduced by the Scottish Executive. It is divided into five parts covering certain areas of aquaculture and fisheries management. The main areas are:
powers to inspect fish and shellfish farms to assess measures for controlling parasites and preventing fish escapes and for Ministers to approve and monitor codes of practice on these issues;
contingency powers to deal with the containment and treatment of Gyrodactylus salaris (GS), an exotic parasite of salmon, if it was introduced into Scotland; and
changes to the rules on access, including provisions to improve the current system of protection orders, welfare considerations, and conservation measures for salmon and freshwater fisheries.
payments to be made in respect of fish destroyed as a result of disease control measures;
restrictions on the movement of fish into specified areas of marine waters;
prohibitions on the unauthorised introduction of live fish into inland waters;
payments for the development, promotion, organisation and research in areas related to aquaculture and fisheries;
the compulsory provision of certain information; and
compliance with the Common Fisheries Policy restrictions and obligations relating to sea fishing.