"The government's fisheries scientists need to establish where this suspected case of ISA came from as quickly as possible. I am concerned that they are not arriving in Shetland until tonight,” he told Shetland Marine yesterday.
"ISA provides no risk whatsoever to human health. But consumer confidence in food is very important.
"So testing and clearing the neighbouring fish farms is very important. I have contacted the director of the government's marine scientists to stress the importance of fast, effective and decisive action."
According to Shetland Marine, ISA is specific to fish and does not pose any risk to humans.
Yesterday the SSPO stressed that only the presence of the virus had been confirmed and that fish being tested did not show any clinical symptoms of the disease, reported the news organisation.
"This can be likened to humans carrying bacteria but not contracting any illness from them," an SSPO statement read.
The SSPO's chief executive Scott Landsburgh said: "Of course this news is a concern, but we are confident that we can manage the situation quickly and effectively alongside the Fisheries Research Services inspectors.
"The Scottish industry has a good, internationally recognised, record in fish health and welfare and it is very important to us that we get back on track as quickly as possible."
Scottish Sea Farms yesterday declined to be interviewed on the issue. A short statement issued by a spokeswoman based in Edinburgh read: “The site in question has been harvested out and been empty of fish since the 21st Dec. Scottish Sea Farms are cooperating fully with any review or surveillance in the Burra area."
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