Nine MPs joined the trip and met with local workers, including the company’s regional manager Don MacLeod and area manager David MacMillan, who both hail from Lewis.
The visit, on 11 December, came a week after the committee held a one-off session exploring the economic benefits of the Scottish salmon sector, with representatives from Salmon Scotland, Mowi Scotland and Scottish Sea Farms.
The Scottish Affairs Committee is chaired by Labour MP for Glasgow West, Patricia Ferguson, and the membership includes the Liberal Democrat MP Angus MacDonald, whose Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire constituency is home to a number of salmon farms.
The MPs were given an overview of Mowi’s salmon farming operations, the production cycle including the supply chain, community benefit, and career opportunities within salmon farming. The company employs 163 people within the Western Isles and Skye.
The visit also provided the opportunity to tackle some of the myths and misconceptions that are pushed by anti-salmon farming activists, as well as future development plans that include consolidating existing sites with fewer, larger pens and their plans to continue to invest significant sums in Scotland.
Patricia Ferguson MP, chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee, said: “The Committee was pleased to visit Mowi's salmon farm at Loch Erisort as part of our trip to the Isle of Lewis and Harris.
“Salmon is a valuable export for the Scottish and UK economy, and the aquaculture sector is an important employer in Scotland’s island communities.
“During our visit we learned more about the challenges and opportunities for the sustainable growth of salmon farming.”
Don MacLeod, regional manager north at Mowi Scotland, added: “Mowi was pleased to be asked to host the visit by the Scottish Affairs Committee and give them the opportunity to see first-hand our fish and to meet the team responsible for the day-to-day running of the farm.
“Our teams work hard all year round, all weathers and it is appreciated that the committee took time out from their busy schedule to visit. We look forward to continuing communications and hosting more visits in the future.”
